How to use 23andme to find out if you are MTHFR
Mother-effer!
Thats what the MTHFR gene is often referred to. And its actually a pretty good abbreviation. Because when you start to do a little research into what it is and how it can affect your health the common reaction is “mutherfu…. You get it” part of the reason is because it can actually get pretty complicated and it can contribute to the development or severity of many different conditions. Which we will discuss in future blog/videos and have talked about in the past as well.
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Todays video is not about how and why MTHFR could be part of your heath or lack thereof. But, today is about how can you find out if you are MTHFR positive.
There are two main variants of MTHFR. They are the C677T and the A1298C variant. Each one has 3 possible choices. Ill list them below on our blog page and put them in the description as well.
So what are the options to find out your genetics?
There are actually quite a few options and one of the easiest and sometimes cheapest option is actually through 23andme which we will go over today. Another option is anccestry.com.
Before you run out and go use one of these services. Please keep in mind that there are potential risks and downsides to getting this done.
Here are just a few things to think about beforehand. And this list is by no means all inclusive.
Ignorance is bliss. Or at least can be. Sometimes the information that you find out can be scary. Ie - finding out you have the genes for Alzheimers, Parkinsons, macular degeneration, etc. Now this doesn’t mean you will for sure get those things. And I think its helpful to know because then you can do something about it. But, some people dont want to know. And I have had patients where I needed to know the information so we could make progress and do it safely, but they specifically told me they don't want to know the specifics. They just wanted me to tell them what to do. Hey ! To each their own.
2. Hacking - this is a threat with anything now days.
3. Its non medical - being that the services through 23andme, ancestry and other consumer genetic sites are not considered medical it means that the government and law enforcement can have access to that information for whatever reason they deem necessary. And those companies can sell your data to. A lot of people don’t like this. I’m not a huge fan. Had I known this I prob wouldn’t have done it, but being a dr they have my fingerprints already I guess. So here is a workaround. A. Don’t do it. B. Use a fake name and email address. Ultimately Im sure they could figure out who this belongs to, but, it would take a lot more work to do so. B. Use a medical testing facility. - which I will discuss in another video.
4. Profit / financial status of the company - The company can decide to use and/or sell your data to whomever they like. Ex - in 2018 Glaxosmith Kline teamed up with 23 and me to the tune of 300 million dollar and has exclusive rights to use the data to create their own drugs. And recently I have heard but not cannot confirm that they recently sold info to companies in China.
So, now you are a little more informed. Let take a look at how you can use 23 and me to see if you are MTHFR Positive.
I’m Dr. Craig Mortensen
Be healthy, be happy!
Rs1801133 (MTHFR C677T)
AA - 2 copies - reduced activity up to 80%
AG - 1 variant allele, 40% reduction
GG - normal
Rs1801131 (A1298C)
GG - 2 alleles
GT - 1 allele
TT - normal
