If you’ve spent any time scrolling through “wellness” videos on TikTok, Instagram or Reddit, then chances are you’ve come across MTHFR, the gene with a name that sounds like a curse word but has become a big topic online.
Celebrities like Courteney Cox have brought more attention to MTHFR by talking about their own experiences. In an article in NewBeauty, Cox gets candid about her MTHFR gene mutation. “Once I found out how I could absorb nutrients and protect myself from toxins, my whole life shifted,” she says. “I felt so much better and had more energy. I used to get so tired and would literally crumble after I ate something.”
People on social media are asking questions, too.
“I’ve seen a lot about MTHFR but don’t know enough about its impacts,” writes a Reddit use. She adds: “Once you got testing and figured it out, did you get a more tailored treatment?”
And Reddit user Unfair-Scallion-56, who says they have an MTHFR variant, described feeling significantly better after changing their supplements.
The stories are definitely compelling. But what exactly is MTHFR, and should you order a genetic test?
What Is MTHFR?
MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Everyone has the MTHFR gene. It provides instructions for making an enzyme that helps the body process folate, or vitamin B9, into a form the body can use.
Vitamin B9 plays an important role in making DNA, supporting healthy cell growth and producing red blood cells.
MTHFR is also involved in the chemical pathway that helps convert homocysteine into methionine. Homocysteine is an amino acid produced naturally in the body, while methionine is an essential amino acid the body uses to make proteins and other important compounds.
Can You Tell If You Have an MTHFR Variant?
Not necessarily.
You can’t reliably determine whether you have an MTHFR variant based on symptoms alone. The way to know is through genetic testing.
That distinction is important because symptoms people sometimes attribute to MTHFR, such as fatigue or brain fog can have many possible causes.
Should You Get Tested Before Changing Your Supplements?
For Dr. Mary Van, PharmD, Clinical Director at THRIVEX Infusion & Wellness Center, genetic information can be useful when deciding which supplements are appropriate for an individual.
“Knowing MTHFR can really help you before determining what supplement is best for you,” says Dr. Van.
That’s especially relevant in a wellness culture where people frequently start taking supplements based on something they saw online rather than information about their own bodies.
“What is medicine for one person can be poison for another person,” Dr. Van says. “If you are not taking the right form of the supplement, it can either be a waste of money or cause some unnecessary side effects that you may not be ready for.”
Watch: “Should You Get Tested for MTHFR?”
Dr. Van’s recommendation
“So, it’s always a great idea to get the genetic testing done ahead of time,” Dr. Van says.
MTHFR variants are common, and having one doesn’t necessarily mean you have a health problem. But genetic testing can tell you whether you carry a variant—and that information can be considered alongside your diet, medications, supplements, symptoms and laboratory results.