MTHFR and Pyroluria Adventure: Part 1

30^th July 2014

And following on from that big fat post, last night I saw a new integrative doctor. He believes the reason I'm still struggling with a number of symptoms (weak legs, odd rashes, overall not feeling as awesome as I think I should) despite my great diet, is that I likely have pyrrolle disorder (or pyroluria) and MTHFR. I'll explain them in more detail another time but it basically means that no matter what I eat I'm not able to metabolise or use nutrients properly which then leads to a huge variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms which get worse over time. Everything from my sensitive teeth, to slow digestion, to lowered immunity, to dry skin and thinning hair, the list goes on.

I learnt about pyrrolle and MTHFR via a couple of friends who were diagnosed with both earlier this year. Then it was casually suggested to me by a doctor that this might be my problem as well. If it is (I go for tests on Friday) then that's good news! There's effective treatment via the taking of specific supplements and avoiding others. There's probably dietary modification as well but I haven't looked into that yet. 
I'm excited not just at the idea of feeling well again but that having this knowledge and experience will help me to help others once I start seeing clients. And although more and more integrative practitioners are becoming aware of MTHFR and pyrrolle, many still don't know what it is (my last fancy expensive doctor didn't and neither did the nutritionist I saw a few months back) and so they don't know to test for it. And with conditions like these, approaches that will help most of the population will only work a little with people with MTHFR/pyrrolle if at all.

Exciting times!