MTHFR, Part II

I first just want to thank everyone who has guided me a bit through this whole MTHFR thing since the weekend. It's a bit overwhelming to hear you have something different about you. But after chatting with a good number of you . . . I don't feel so alone or, well, mutant.

To answer a few questions:

// 1: Vitamins, etc.

I have switched my vitamins to Thorne Basic Prenatals. These have a L-methylfolate (bioavailable form) in them, which is recommended. I was fortunate enough to chat with a registered dietitican who explained that these vitamins are safe and a good choice.

I will also be taking an additional L-methylfolate supplement, also by Thorne. The doctor said I could take up to 4mg more (total of 5mg combined with prenatal), but I'll start with just an additional 1mg.

// 2: Sourcing information

I understand that not all the information I linked yesterday is from the most reputable sources. As a medical writer, I have a skeptical eye when reading over such material. MTHFR has been anecdotally linked to a lot of conditions, which I do find interesting. MTHFR does seem to be an emerging thing. As a result, the medical community obviously has the best information . . . but they don't necessarily have all information. Also: There's much more research on homozygous individuals. I'm simply piecing together everything I find -- with caution.

I'm not doing anything drastic based on random online articles I find without guidance from a doctor. It just gives me some fuel for questioning.

// 3: Lovenox 

Many of you have written to me about Lovenox. So, I did meet with my doctor and had some anxiety about the possibility of taking injectable blood thinners. After meeting, we decided that upon pregnancy I would keep taking baby aspirin and not do Lovenox.

I understand the two drugs perform different functions (BA thins the blood, Lovenox deals with clotting). But I don't have even borderline levels for other clotting disorders and have only one mutation for MTHFR. He did provide clinical examples of when he would have required the Lovenox (he even joked and said if it was required, I would have to come in every day and hold his hand to get them), but said that 8 out of 10 doctors would likely not indicate the drug in my case (hetero, no clotting disorders, no history of clotting).

It was a suggestion based on my miscarriage history (but there weren't formally diagnosed clots) . . . but that it was more as an "ease my mind" measure versus necessity. Since it amps up anxiety instead, he explained he wasn't super attached to the idea.

// 4: Feelings

It's a lot of information. It's a lot of "what if" scenarios running through my mind. Like, what if this is what caused my miscarriages. What if we found this out sooner? What if this had something to do with Ada's brain cyst (MTHFR is linked to neural tube defects -- her cyst isn't exactly that, but it's not terribly far off). What if by not taking Lovenox something happens?

My doctor assured me that there is still a chance that the MTHFR may have had nothing to do with my experiences. It could have as easily been the progesterone. It could have even been bad luck (which I hated hearing when I was going through it, but -- with time -- I do see bad luck as a cruel possibility).

In all, I have to have an element of feeling there's a bigger plan. If I hadn't miscarried, for example, I wouldn't have my sweet Eloise. Throughout everything I have experienced, I do truly feel like on some level we end up with the family and life we are meant to have. I'm not a terribly spiritual person . . . but when my anxiety gets the best of me, I try very hard to give my thoughts to whatever the greater purpose is or could possibly be.

// 5: THANK YOU

Again, a HUGE thank you to everyone who has spent time writing to me in the last several days. I love this online community and its kindness. Though SO many situations I've encountered in my life, you guys have been there. We all have so much to share in way of experiences and empathy, it's incredibly heartening.