When people think about estrogen, they usually think about how much of the hormone their body produces. But the other side of this story is how well your body processes and clears estrogen once it's been used. This process, called estrogen metabolism, is just as important as estrogen production itself. One of the body's most important tools for processing estrogen is methylation, a biochemical process supported by the MTHFR gene. MTHFR and hormones are linked.

With MTHFR and slow COMT, you may produce neurotransmitters inefficiently (MTHFR), but also break them down slowly (COMT). This can lead to fluctuating dopamine levels, periods of overstimulation or underperformance, and increased sensitivity to small biochemical changes.

Two human figures made of glowing wires and neor representing Norepinephrine and methylation. Norepinephrine is both a neurotransmitter in the brain and a hormone in the body, and more importantly, symptoms of low or high norepinephrine could tell us something about methylation patterns.

In clinical practice, however, patterns often emerge before the research fully catches up. One such pattern I observe is a striking overlap between individuals with MTHFR gene variants and symptoms of ADHD or ADD. To be clear: this is not yet a fully established causal relationship. But there is enough emerging evidence—and strong biochemical plausibility—to warrant a closer look.

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.

Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) often experience the world differently than others. This unique trait can manifest in various ways, from heightened emotional responses to an acute awareness of sensory stimuli. Understanding the neurological and genetic underpinnings of HSP can help individuals identify these traits in themselves and navigate their sensitivities more effectively.

Fatigue, which is a feeling of extreme tiredness, weakness, or exhaustion, is the first symptom of almost every medical problem, including MTHFR. It can be linked to almost every body system, and it is the most general symptom we have. It is also linked to a number of common gene SNPs, including MTHFR, fast MAOA, fast COMT, and more. It is tied to lifestyle factors like diet, nutrition, sleep, and stress. So, actually, in light of all of that, it is surprising any of us don't