Different Opinions of Methylation
There are several different versions of this conversation floating out there on the web, and this is a point that matters very much in terms of finding the right MTHFR solutions for you.
Typically, people with MTHFR mutations have one of three basic states – overmethylation, undermethylation, and neutral methylation. Knowing your basic state can help you to track your progress on your MTHFR journey, and know when you’re headed in the right direction.
Undermethylation, according to the Walsch Research Institute, is the most common human state at around 45% of the population. Neutral methylation makes up another 40% of the population and Overmethylation constitutes the remaining 15% of the population, solidly holding the black-sheep position in most families. Most people will have symptoms and personality traits on both sides of the spectrum, but you might notice more of a trend in one direction or the other.
Overmethylation Vs Undermethylation Symptoms
| Overmethylation (15%) | Undermethylation (45%) |
|---|---|
| Marches to the beat of their own drum | Typically mentally healthy, but overly driven |
| Depression – mixed neurotransmitter issues | Depression (low serotonin) |
| Paranoia or anxiety | Perfectionism (this can also look like anxiety) |
| Head and neck pain | Obsessive or compulsive tendencies |
| Highly creative and often gifted artists or musicians | Ritualistic behavior |
| Low motivation or hyper-motivated but only in what is interesting to them (not globally). | High motivation |
| Self-mutilation or heavy on the tattoos, piercings, and other body enhancements | Addictive personality |
| Non-competitive | Competitive |
| Food or chemical sensitivities | Seasonal/inhalant allergies |
| Sleep often disordered | Strong-willed |
| Diminished tears or saliva (low fluidity) | Excessive tears or saliva (high fluidity) |
| Highly empathic and sensitive | Frequent headaches |
| Pacing or constant movement | Poor concentration/mental endurance |
| High pain threshold | Low tolerance for pain |
| Ruminating – mind has a hard time shutting off | Self-motivated |
| Tend toward more hair (head and body) | Tend toward sparser hair (head and body) |
| Often reacts badly to SSRI medications – better with benzodiazepines | Often the good reaction to SSRI medications |
| Often reacts badly to antihistamines | Often the good reaction to antihistamines |
| Often reacts badly to estrogen therapy (or birth control pills) | Can have delusions or thought disorders |
| Passionate and self-sacrificing | History of high accomplishment |
This is One Place Where I Don’t Agree With Ben Lynch
Some people, with the notable MTHFR expert Ben Lynch being one of them (if I’m interpreting his work correctly – feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, Ben!) seem to use the term “overmethylated” as synonymous with either “over-supplemented” or “pushing methylation pathways too hard.” (I”m getting this idea from this post on MTHFR.net).
Others, like myself and Dr. Walsh of the Walsh Research Institute, use the term more to describe a person’s basic natural tendency based on their genes and also the ways their genes are influenced by the environment (epigenetics). Of course, someone in this view who is overmethylated can also over supplement, but their basic state, personality traits, and natural tendencies are still those of an overmethylator. Truly, how often do you see the overachiever (undermethylator) of the family turn into the black sheep (overmethylator) because of a supplement, and then stop it and turn back into the overachiever?
Using Your Basic State As A Guide
Understanding and using both your basic state and your symptom profile can help you to understand when you’re moving toward health and more balance, or in the opposite direction toward imbalance and disease. I like to think of it as pushing my own pathology.
This is a great way to help you understand when you’re on track because some of these symptoms are easy to track and might change before more serious physical issues shift. For example, it’s easy to tell if you’re having a good or bad day for ruminating, when your concentration is clearer or when you’re not quite as perfectionist as you usually are. These are easy for most people to rate on a symptom tracker, but might not be things they would have put onto the symptom tracker if they didn’t know their basic state. More long-term issues like inflammation or blood pressure respond more slowly. This can be a very immediate tool to help you assess your symptoms today.
So, Will I Suddenly Have A Different Personality?
Absolutely not. The passionate artist or activist is still going to be a passionate artist or activist, but they will be more balanced and more able to keep themselves healthy while being a passionate activist. Likewise, the highly competitive overachiever will still be a highly competitive overachiever, but they’ll take better care of themselves, take breaks for sleep, not push themselves so far into damage in order to overachieve. Balancing your methylation doesn’t change who you are. It unlocks the best of you.
Thanks so much for tuning in and if you can, give me a shout and let me know if you’re an overmethylator, undermethylator, or a neutral methylator.
MTHFR is a common genetic mutation that can contribute to anxiety, depression, fatigue, chronic pain, infertility, and more serious conditions like breast implant illness, heart attack, stroke, chronic fatigue syndrome, and some types of cancer. If you know or suspect you have an MTHFR variant, schedule a free 15-minute meet-and-greet appointment with MTHFR expert Dr. Amy today.
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As overmethylator, C667T, finally diagnosed 25 years later with akathesia from antidepressants with pharmacogenetic testing, current local pharmacologist still denies “nutrient” mthfr connection with genetic polymorphisms as current significance prior to surgery for total knee replacement, ortho MD clueless about my history of akathesia from NSAIDS (despite neutral CYP2C9) and troubled by deviation from standard pain medication protocols, your article hallmarks all this–hurrah!. How to proceed with beginning consultations with you? Have consulted with Functional MD and Naturopath who were disappointedly unable to do more than “protocols”.
I”m so sorry to hear about your struggles – it really is hard to find someone who has any ideas on how to work with overmethylation, and its related issues at all, especially when you have a medication history. I’ll shoot you an email and we can start there, or you can schedule something here, or here. I look forward to talking with you, and if you’re not sure yet if you want to schedule the full hour and a half first visit, we can schedule a free 15 minute consult to see if it feels like a good fit.
Dr. Amy,
I am really appreciating your podcasts and learning more about methylation issues. I am trying to encourage one of my daughters to set up an appointment with you. She is lost when it comes to supplementation, and of course, what is working for me is not necessarily going to work for her. I will definitely keep trying! And, you will hear from me/her. Keep up the good work!
Paula
Thanks so much, Paula! I love to hear that it’s helpful for you. Maybe sending your daughter a link to the Start Here page would help her get begin to sort things out? I hope this helps!
Hi! I have a question. I believe I am an over- and my boyfriend is an under methylator. I can’t seem to find what to do for him. I know I can take the different forms of B and folate but him taking the same as me seems to be a wrong handling because he overmethylates? Please clarify and thank you!!!
Hi Christina,
Great question! Honestly, no matter your basic state, I usually suggest starting the same way. Always with the food changes first (eliminate folic acid, boost natural folates) and then especially for your boyfriend I think it’s important to start with the other B vitamins that support the pathway first without anything methylated. The best product I know of for this is B minus from seeking health (this one is an affiliate link – so thanks for using it if you choose to buy!). Once he’s settled on the B minus and taking it without side effects, then you can cautiously try a tiny dose of 5-LMTHF to see how he responds. Some undermethylators do tolerate low doses of 5-LMTHF and it’s always the best thing to try because if they do tolerate it, then it solves so many problems. If he doesn’t tolerate the 5-LMTHF, then a folinic acid would be the next go-to to get folate and then start trying methyl donors. It’s a process, but once you find the perfect things for him it will make a huge difference. Thanks for being here!
I found that I have hetero c.665c>t variant and my husband has homo c.665c>t. I am pretty confused now because I thought if I only had one copy I wasn’t at risk for manifesting the condition or trait but my husband is definitely at risk. So we have had him on the road to recovery and he seems to be already doing better. My question is after reading a lot of your site- does my hetero mean I also should be doing something?
Hi Lisa,
Honestly, I have seen lots of people with hetero mutations who do have symptoms and feel better when they start working on methylating properly. I think even with one mutation it’s a good idea to work on it, mostly because everything you do for your health will enhance your health and there is no risk to working on it. Does that make sense?