Follow up Dr. appt. and MTHFR

JMbreaksthelaw · #1 June 2nd, 2009, 11:16 AM

So I have my follow up appt yesterday and since I have had 2 miscarriages in a row my dr. did some testing and it turns out I was positive for MTHFR. I really dont understand it all too well but have been trying to do some research. My dr. didnt seem to concerned and told me next time I get pregnant he will start me on baby aspirin and possibly blood thinners but mentioned nothing about Folic Acid. My first pregnancy went fine, no problems and I have a healthy 3 year old so it is a bit confusing to me. He told me not to wait and to just start trying again but I am still terrified to get pregnant even though I want one more baby so bad. Do any you ladies have this genetic defect? I would appreciate any first hand knowledge any of you have. Would you recommend taking extra folic acid as well? Thanks

Trish36 · #2 June 2nd, 2009, 12:28 PM

I'm glad that you figured out why you are having m/c and your doctor is going to start treatment. It can't hurt to take extra folic acid, so I would do it anyway, just in case. I've found a link to a MTHFR site. hope you can get some answers there.
mthfr.net

rebeccabaltimore and more · #3 June 2nd, 2009, 12:31 PM

My sister is heterozygous for MTHFR. Conveniently enough, she's a genetic counselor and deals with patients who have this mutation several times a week. Folic acid, baby aspirin, and blood thinners are the standard treatment, and it is usually very successful.

farasha · #4 June 2nd, 2009, 02:38 PM

I went to a seminar on that gene product a few months ago. I'm no expert, but I do remember that different mutations can be effectively treated by more folic acid than is in the normal prenatals. It was actually a wicked good seminar about how our DNA can specify our nutritional requirements, and therefore not everything is standard for everyone. This mutations was used as an example. So anyways, taking an extra 400 or 800 mg (above the normal 800 mg) is prescribed a lot, so I assume it must be safe. There is such a thing as too much of a given vitamin/nutriet. However, it sounds like this is done frequently so it must be on the safe side...

I hope that website Trish gave you helps too! I'm glad they found something treatable! I'm currently waiting for the same tests results to come back.

KDD · #5 June 2nd, 2009, 04:17 PM

I'm glad that your Dr. has figured out what has caused your losses. I don't know anything about MTHFR so I can't offer any suggestions.

..Penelope.. · #6 June 2nd, 2009, 04:42 PM

I'm glad that you got an answer.

My doctor recommended extra folic acid to me. It may have been because I have a cousin with spina bifida and a family history of scoliosis. But I think it's a good idea for everyone.

I understand the fear of another loss. I don't really have any advice, but please know that we're here for you.

.:Shortcake:. · #7 June 2nd, 2009, 05:44 PM

I'm glad your doctor figured out the source of your losses and I hope whatever they tell you to do works. I am on 800mg folic acid plus my prenatal.

AliciaF · #8 June 2nd, 2009, 08:48 PM

I have MTHFR along with the APS and am hetero C677T, luckily not the "bad" kind. You'll want to find out what mutation you have and whether you are hetero, compound hetero or homozygous. Compound hetero and homozygous are considered the more severe forms of the mutation.

I would start the baby aspirin and the additional folic acid now. When TTC I was taking 3,200mcg folic acid, 2,000mcg B12, 100mg B6 and a baby aspirin.

Now for me, I had 2 normal pregnancies, then a stillbirth caused by a SCH and then had 3 miscarriages. After my 2nd miscarriage I was tested and found out about the APS and the MTHFR and started the above treatment. I had another miscarriage and at that point started Lovenox injections at 3dpo the next cycle. That worked for me and I'll be 16 weeks tomorrow.

The verdict is out on the use of Lovenox with just MTHFR, especially if it's hetero MTHFR. I started due to the APS.

Some more agressive docs will do the Lovenox though. You just gotta see what your doc feels is right and if you feel more needs to be done, find a new doc.

BabyBird · #9 June 3rd, 2009, 07:30 AM

I am heterozygous (not sure of the exact mutation though) and had 3 miscarriages before this pregnancy. This time I was on lovenox...I started injections at 3 DPO (actually started and stopped 5 times on unsuccessful cycles but my RE wanted me on it BEFORE implantation) and I am also taking prenatals along with Folgard (folic acid, b6 and b12) and baby aspirin. I would definately recommend taking extra folic acid as well as extra b6 and b12 because the MTHFR can make it so your body doens't break those down efficiently. It won't hurt and it could definately help. I am 100% convinced that I would not be still pg if it weren't for the lovenox. Good luck!