MTHFR and My Thyroid Trouble

I will begin this post again by saying, I am not a health professional and this is not medical advice. This information is based on independent research and experience.

I also should say, this is a continuation of my "Kelp/Iodine" journey: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

My Kelp Journey

If you read Parts 1-3 of my Kelp/Iodine discovery and experience, you'll know I was struggling with my thyroid, but being consistently dismissed by doctors. I had symptom after symptom and was really struggling. I won't go into all my symptoms here, you can find them in my previous posts.

I am sad to report that the relief I found from the Iodine supplement I was using was temporary. Within about 2 weeks or so, things started regressing again. I stopped the supplement, things improved a bit. I found out too little iodine is not good, but too much is also not good. I started to see improvement again when I stopped the drops. I added them back in at a smaller dose, but things didn't seem to improve like they did before.

Now, it seems my issues are getting worse. Worse than ever before.

MTHFR and My Thyroid Troubles

Upon doing the research around the MTHFR Gene Mutation, I learned A LOT! I learned about the gene mutation, but I also learned about mine and my son's health struggles, and how the MTHFR gene mutation has an impact on SO MANY functions in our bodies and as a result, is to blame for most of these health struggles.

One thing MTHFR directly impacts is methylation and the regulation of homocysteine levels. Elevated homocysteine levels are a risk factor for developing a thyroid disorder. Research has shown that people with hypothyroidism have higher levels of homocysteine, on average, compared to people with normal thyroid function. Elevated homocysteine can also affect thyroid function and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with hypothyroidism. Specifically, research has also shown that MTHFR variation-related nutritional deficiencies – especially in B vitamins – may increase the risk of developing a thyroid condition. Interestingly, around 40% of people with hypothyroidism have some Vitamin B12 deficiency.

And if you didn't know (I didn't) B12 (a form of folate) is essential for healthy thyroid function.

Mind. Blown.

Here's how MTHFR and My Thyroid Trouble are connected.

The Science

The active forms of vitamin B2, FMN and FAD have a critical role in the maintenance of functional methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, through the actions of the two enzymes Methylene-Tetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) and Methionine Synthase Reductase (MTRR). Persons who are functionally deficient in vitamin B2 rapidly become deficient in active vitamin B12. As I said above, B12 is responsible for thyroid function.

Vitamin B2 deficiency can be due to lack of dietary intake of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) or Iodine, Selenium and/or Molybdenum, as each metal is essential for enzymes involved in converting riboflavin to FMN and FAD.

The MTHFR gene variation is associated with a buildup of homocysteine due to impaired methylation. In addition, a deficiency in B vitamins can lead to higher homocysteine levels. This all impacts thyroid function.

In a big ol' cycle, all these functions depend on one another to ensure your thyroid is functionally optimally.

The B12 Protocol

The B12 Protocol is a powerful protocol that utilizes specific minerals and vitamins to optimize vitamin B12 function and methylation.

While the daily requirement for vitamin B12 is very small (less than 6 ug/day), a deficiency in the vitamin affects over 200 methylation reactions in the body, and can lead to debilitating fatigue, weight loss and demyelination of the nervous system, with disastrous consequences, Lack of methyl B12, through its role in the methylation cycle results in greatly reduced production of CoQ10 and also of creatine. Functional vitamin B12 deficiency has been strongly linked to developmental delay in children, as well as:

• Cognitive Decline: High dose intravenous methylcobalamin has been shown to reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (Ikeda etal, 1992).

• CFS/ME Treatment

• Autism Treatment

• Sciatica and Neuropathic Pain

• Food Intolerance

• IBS

• Subacute Conbines Degeneration of the Spine

• Sleep

• Hypothyroidism

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Depression

• Poor Concentration

• Lou Gehrig's Disease Treatment

• Infertility

• Allergies

• Eczema

• Reducing Signs of Aging

The list goes on...

As you can see, many of mine and Korbin's symptoms are associated with this deficiency.

So Where to Start

We first need to look at Vitamin B2. The minerals Iodine, Selenium, and Molybdenum are responsible for the body's ability to metabolize vitamin B2. This is why I was able to see a temporary improvement in my symptoms with the addition of an iodine supplement, but because I didn't have the other minerals to support it, it did not work long term.

I have sent off mine and Bubs' bloodwork to Dr Gregory Russell-Jones and have received our recommendations. We have ordered the appropriate oils for our needs to try and get us back on the right track.

I'll update soon.