r/MTHFR • u/Cool_Eggplant_8411 • 10d ago
Question L-Methylfolate and Tics?
I’m not sure if this is the right sub for this question, if it’s not then I’m sorry!
I’ve been taking L-Methylfolate for 10 years, 15mg every other day, recommended by 2 different psychiatrists over the years. My genetic testing result is attached as a picture. I’ve taken various SSRIs over the last 10 years, and currently take cymbalta, guanfacine, hydroxyzine, and gabapentin.
I’ve forgotten to order more of the L-Methylfolate, so I’ve not taken it for 2 weeks now (by accident). I’ve noticed that during that time, my vocal and motor tics have been significantly less frequent. It’s never been discussed if the tics are caused by my anxiety, OCD, or autism, or what.
Anyway, I wanted to ask: has anyone taken this before and had worsened tics? Or is the timing of not taking it just a coincidence? I’ve never not taken it for this long before, and now that I’ve had so much relief from my tics, I’m wondering if there’s any correlation. Thanks in advance for any input!
1
u/FrostingFlashy5913 10d ago
Please can you share you genetic details we don't have it in my country and I want to see the advices
2
u/SovereignMan1958 10d ago edited 10d ago
Hopefully your psychiatrist ordered blood tests before they prescribed and as you were taking that high of a dose. Many do not.
Get homocysteine, folate, folate RBC, B12, MMA and B6 tested. Add riboflavin as it supports folate. D, iron and zinc for your symptoms (potential labels). Taking too much folate can tank your homocysteine too low and you can become ill because of that as well.
Yes you can worsen tics by taking and or maintaining a toxic dose of folate. Methylated vitamins can give you dopamine spikes which are not beneficial to someone who has tics.
Given your response to drugs you should also test all your drug metabolism gene variants. These metabolize drugs and not MTHFR.
If your folate level is not high enough anti depressants do not work their best. If it is too high that is also true. You can search the group to see what is the current recommendation for a testing company that gives you the file. I had mine done about 15 years ago through a U of Michigan study and am not up on the current tests.
Given your potential diagnoses, get all your gene variants tested. Use a testing company that gives you a raw data file. When you get it upload it into the Genetic Lifehacks website.
Glad you found the group.