When you receive blood test results showing high folate levels, it might seem positive at first. However, it can signal a potential issue with MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) function and highlight risks related to unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) buildup in the bloodstream.

Blood tests for folate have one big fatal flaw, making them both innaccurate and functionally useless, and the most common folate levels that we see on the blood tests of people with MTHFR might surprise you.

High homocysteine is one of the most medically recognized consequences of having an MTHFR gene mutation, and learning to lower homocysteine with MTHFR can protect your health long-term. Balancing your methylation and boosting your B vitamins, especially B2, folate or 5-LMTHF, and B12, is the usual first step with MTHFR. But for true health, there are some other things that matter as well.

MTHFR and homocysteine are linked because homocysteine builds up when the folate cycle isn't working efficiently, which can happen with MTHFR. Because of this, testing homocysteine can be a helpful way to determine whether the health changes you are making for your MTHFR gene mutation are actually effective for you. In this post, we will cover Homocysteine testing and parameters - what is normal, what isn't, and what is considered normal but maybe shouldn't be.