Well, it pays to get a copy of your records. I needed copies of all my fertility/blood test records and I decided to go through them very, very carefully. I saw that there was a blood test from APRIL that was ordered, but for which no results were in the file. I called my FS to chase up...well, they never "got" them? huh? AND they weren't normal. I have "MTHFR Heterozy". Unfortunately, I missed the FS's phone call and now she is gone so I have no one to explain to me what this means. She left a message babbling about increased follic acid as well as aspirin - I think...I really don't feel like waiting for tomorrow to find out what this means...and I am so ****ED OFF that these results were available in April but slipped through the crack- WHY have I paid her $150 for 10 min of her time (multiple times) for this kind of service....
I don't know enough about it to help, but I do know that this is linked in with recurrent miscarriage.
Bl00dy annoying that this was missed - but don't give up on IVF, the disorder's effects on ending a pregnancy can be easily overcome as I understand it.
I have never been on anything to address this condition although my m/cs have been due to documented trisomies (and a failure to develop - blighted ovum?) so they would have failed regardless. But that's not to say I am not so angry. To blame it on the lab not delivering the results - WTF? isn't it your job to chase up the results of the tests you order for your patients - it certainly shouldn't be mine. I am so cynical of these FS - I think there are only a handful of them who truly care about their patients - the rest are in the fertility business if you get what I mean. And the hassle of chasing down all this paperwork - what a PITA.
Anyway, I hope there are more bellybelly posts and that I speak to my FS tomorrow. I've been waiting for her call and carried my mobile with me for most of the day - as seems to be the usual with these things, she called during the only 45 min window that I forgot to take my mobile with me.
From my understanding, being heterozygous for the MTHFR gene is NOT actually a problem. Unless my brain is seriously screwy, heterozygous means you only have one of the genes and MTHFR can only be an issue when you have two (homozygous). Did they also check homocysteine levels? Elevated homocysteine levels are what indicates that the MTHFR gene is a problem and needs to be treated.
I'm heterozygous for MTHFR and I've been told quite emphatically that it's not a cause for concern and doesn't need to be treated. I hope you can get a clear answer from your FS soon - leaving results that long is just... mind boggling!
Thanks butterfly warrior - I think your brain is working fine as what you are saying sounds similar to her voicemail message.
I will ask about homocysteine testing.
Hi Julie,
OMG, how frustrating, and how dissapointing to have this information there all this time. This is the same genetic issue that I eventually tested postive for, for both mutations of the gene, have you Googled MTHFR?
From what I understand having this gene mutation means that your body does not absorb folic acid (B9) and B6 and B12 also. It is also supposed to result in high homocystein levels, which is linked to blood clotting. The MTHFR falls under the thrombophilia blood clotting disorder and can lead to/is linked to blood clots, stroke, heart attacks, altzeimers etc
See this para, very interesting: Because of a mother with MTHFR’s inability to efficiently metabolize folic acid and vitamin B9, the disorder has been linked to a variety of pregnancy complications such as chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, and congenital malformations.
My FS immediately prescribe the following:
Low dose aspirin (like Cartia - 100mg I think) daily for life, regardless of TTC or not
Mega folate (5mg) daily for life - you can get this behind the counter at the chemist, it is actually cheaper than buying a 500mcg folate tablet
Clexane injections to thin the blood - I am on 20 mg/.20ml per day (my FS initially suggested starting from BFP. As I had never achieved before, I pushed for from ET, but still felt that it might have been too late, so my successful cycle I started the night of EPU).
I did get my homocystein levels checked and they were within normal range, however my FS felt that my ability to get to BFP was still being impacted by this blood clotting issue, hence also prescribing Clexane to thin the blood, ensure sufficient blood flow to the endometrium and embryo etc.
Oh I hope hope hope this makes all the difference in the world. Just to be Dr BDT, I would be pushing your FS to prescribe you Clexane, to me it was the magic injection that I totally attribute to finally getting a positive.
I hope this helps some, will be praying with all my might xx
Hi, me again I missed BWs reply while posting my own. I did heaps of research on this, and did see on plenty of occassions where women (particulary on the UK and US sites) had only one mutation of the gene, and where homocysteine levels were not elevated, and still their FSs prescribed Clexane to address any potential issues, and where subsequently they had success.
There are definitely theories both ways.
My FS also indicated that by testing positive for one thrombophila blood clotting disorder, there was something like a 50-70% chance that you would also test positive for another blood clotting disorder if they had identified all the disorders you can possibly have, if that makes any sense.
I guess it all comes down to what you FS thinks and how seriously they take this result. In my personal opinion, this is something well worth looking at and address.
MTHFR Heterozy - what?
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