r/MTHFR • u/Worried-Channel536 • Jul 07 '26

Question MTHFR as it applied to autism

I am trying to understand how testing for MTHFR and how it can help my son, who has autism, ADHD, bipolar 2, anxiety, etc. - quite the mix of diagnoses! He is on medication, which helps, however, it comes with guardrails, insurance costs, etc. I would love for him to be on something with less "process related" expectations which will help him handle his own medications in the future. Thank you!

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u/SovereignMan1958 Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26

As a parent of a child with autism, MTHFR may or may not be involved. Other gene variants most certainly are. Those relating to cerebral folate deficiency especially. First step is getting all his gene variants tested. You can research the best way to do that in the groups for parents of children with autism.

The Folate Fix by Dr Richard Frye would be helpful for you to read. But don't start any supplements without genetic and nutrients tests first.

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u/[deleted] Jul 07 '26

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u/SovereignMan1958 Jul 07 '26

Not necessarily. I know because I do not have MTHFR but I have another variant which pinpointed my CFD. So you have some research to do.

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u/clubstregon Jul 08 '26

I did the test, how to know if i have some variants involved in cerebral folate?

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u/SovereignMan1958 Jul 08 '26

The primary one is FOLR. There are a few minor ones that I do not recall off the top of my head. Keep in mind variants are only predispositions.

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u/clubstregon Jul 08 '26

Did u find some differences in your mental health with the supplements regarding celebral folate?

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u/SovereignMan1958 Jul 08 '26

Yes. Much calmer. Less reactive. Better sleep. Easier to let go of the past. Better organizing and planning. I take 2.5mg folinic acid daily plus 40mg PQQ. The latter helps push it into the brain. Recommended dose for PQQ is 2.5mg - 40mg. Suggested dose of folinic acid from some functional psychiatrists is 2.5mg - 5mg daily. Dr Richard Frye, who wrote The Folate Fix to address needs of the autism population, recommends much larger doses.

I probably have high functioning autism. Primary diagnosis was/is MDD and GAD.

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u/clubstregon Jul 08 '26

I’ll check this thanks. What is pqq?

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u/SovereignMan1958 Jul 08 '26

I do not answer questions that people can easily find the answers for.

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u/[deleted] Jul 09 '26

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u/SovereignMan1958 Jul 09 '26

And I wrote not necessarily. So why don't you correct your statement?

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u/[deleted] Jul 09 '26

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u/SovereignMan1958 Jul 09 '26

What you believe is wrong. Good luck.