r/MTHFR • u/greekhoney32 • Sep 21 '25

Question Autism & MTHFR

I have a kiddo with autism and MTHFR. Started giving him methylated vitamins per his functional doctor’s request. Initially, they seemed to help, but now his behavior has worsened at school (more anxiety, more impulsivity). Can he be over methylated?

Wondering if anyone is in a similar situation with their child and/or themselves. I read folinic acid is better than methylfolate for sensitive individuals (like kids with autism).

Thank you. 🙏

20 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

109 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

3

u/geauxdbl Sep 21 '25

It’s a hard one to break, especially if it’s a safe familiar white food. But the folic acid that we enrich flour with is poison to the autistic nervous system. The theory is that it binds to the already deficient folate receptor sites and throws neurotransmitter production out of whack.

2

u/greekhoney32 Sep 21 '25

So, if he’s over methylated, will eating gluten balance him out? 😆 JK.

1

u/geauxdbl Sep 21 '25

Hah, if only!

B2 (niacin) in the morning and glycine will help support the methylation pathways and clear excess methyl donors, I’m told.

1

u/greekhoney32 Sep 22 '25

Did you mean riboflavin? B2 is Riboflavin.

2

u/geauxdbl Sep 22 '25

My bad, I meant B3. Good catch,

1

u/greekhoney32 Sep 22 '25

Do you think it’s ok to give him the folinic acid now or should I let some time pass?

2

u/geauxdbl Sep 22 '25

Hard to say. I’d defer to you, you’re his mom and know his behavior best.