Every individual has the 5-methyltetrahydrofolate gene. It is also called as MTHFR.
This gene is responsible for breaking down the folic acid that creates folate. Some of the health disorders and conditions may occur when you do not have sufficient amount of folate, or with a malfunctioning MTHFR gene.
During pregnancy, women who are positive MTHFR mutation gene perhaps have a higher risk of preeclampsia, miscarriages, or they may have their baby born with several birth defects like Spina bifida.
Why Is It Imperative For You To Get Yourself Tested For MTHFR Mutation?
What does MTHFR Gene Do?
MTHFR is beneficial in breaking down the vitamin folic acid. This breakdown basically leads to higher homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is a chemical that is produced in the human body from an amino acid as folic acid collapse. If folic acid is not broken down, it blocks the body’s ability to have an adequate amount of folate.
Hyperhomocysteinemia is a condition where the homocysteine levels are at a high level. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a condition often seen in people that have positive MTHFR mutation. Higher homocysteine levels, specially with lower folic acid levels can cause pregnancy complications that mainly include:
- preeclampsia
- miscarriage
- birth defects
Folate, on the other hand, is responsible for:
- Making of the DNA
- Repairing the DNA
- Generation of red blood cells
While the MTHFR mutation gene malfunctions, it leads to a case where the folic acid is not broken down. This is called a mutated MTHFR gene. It is not very uncommon to have a mutated gene. In the USA, it has been estimated that more than 25percent of the population who suffer from Hispanic and up to 15 percent of the people who are Caucasian do have this mutation, as per the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.
Some of the Risk Factors involved For Positive MTHFR Gene
The positive MTHFR mutation gene is normally inherited from parents. You perhaps be at high risk if you have had:
- History of preeclampsia
- Recurrent pregnancy losses
- An infant with a neural tube defect like anencephaly or spina bifida
Nothing really causes you to have a mutated MTHFR gene more than this. It is just passed onto your father or mother.