We want our bodies to communicate with us, but we don’t always like what they are saying. If our joints are hurting and we feel bloated, we don’t like that! Are we hearing what our body is saying?

I realized how many symptoms I had for this methylation disorder last spring. I knew my body had a difficult time shedding toxins. I had been eating healthy for a year and had lost some weight, but I still was having health symptoms that would not go away. After doing a 14-day detox program with eating whole 30 and supplementing with super food juice and other supplements, I felt worse than ever. I then had my integrative medicine doctor test me for MTHFR.

My test results came back with two of the C677T genes. The “TT” genotype may lead to elevated homocysteine levels. This means my body’s ability to methylate folate is greatly reduced. The MTHFR gene plays a vital role in folate metabolism, converting folate to its active form of 5-MTHF. This affects cell growth, DNA repair, and gene expression. The enzyme has a reduced ability to convert homocysteine to methionine which can cause a build-up of homocysteine in the blood.

My body cannot process artificial folic acid (which is basically in every processed food or enriched flour). Folate and folic acid are not the same; folic acid is synthetic. This also explains why I could never tolerate prenatal vitamins. I have to supplement with a very absorbable, high-dose, methylated vitamin that contains B6 and B12. It also means I am more prone to digestive issues, high inflammation, and chronic pain. There is a high probability this was a reason for some of my pregnancy problems and other previously unexplained symptoms.

My body was unable to to eliminate the toxins I was shedding, and ultimately making me feel worse. This also impacted hormonal struggles as my body could not shed excess estrogen. I also recently discovered that women in their 40s with two of the “T” genes have over a 50% change of high blood pressure.

I am not trying to be a medical expert, even though I am somewhat of a medical nerd. I love researching symptoms and seeking solutions. So many of the things we struggle with as women, we don’t talk about them. I would love to talk about any or all of your health struggles with you. Being able to dialogue and not feel so isolated in the struggle is good medicine in itself!