MTHFR Gene Testing & Recurrent Miscarriage

July 31, 2017 By Karen Reynolds

Welcome back to my Autoimmune Fertility series!

This week’s topic is MTHFR gene testing and recurrent miscarriage. Although MTHFR is more about genetics than an autoimmune process, it is important to remember that genes in our bodies can be switched on or switched off under specific conditions. For example, it is possible for some individuals to carry a genetic variation that with optimal self-care never causes any symptoms or problems. This might be a result of having a particular diet, practice of hot yoga or consistent use of supplements to support nutrition. Let’s talk more about MTHFR and if testing for it is right for you.

Should you consider MTHFR gene testing?

MTHFR mutations are associated with Miscarriages, Pre-eclampsia, Placental abruption, & Blood clots

MTHFR gene mutations are associated with Miscarriages, Pre-eclampsia, Placental abruption, & Blood clots

Are you a woman experiencing recurrent miscarriages, infertility or blood clotting problems? Have you had more than 2 pregnancy losses or 2 failed IVF cycles after the age of 35? If so, I do recommend MTHFR genetic testing. This is a worthwhile topic to discuss with your medical doctor, genetic counselor, and integrative medicine professionals such as acupuncturists and naturopaths. *It is always best to have professional guidance with respect to choosing, obtaining and interpreting genetic testing. *

What does MTHFR mean?

MTHFR is the abbreviation for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. In medical journals, MTHFR can refer to the MTHFR enzyme in your body or the MTHFR gene in your body. We are finding increasing numbers of these types of genes. Newer research is pointing toward higher percentages of the general population with genetic defects of the MTHFR gene also.

“The frequency of the homozygous mutant MTHFR 677TT genotype is reported to be

10% worldwide, ranging from 4% to 18% in the United States,

20% in northern China

to as high as 32% in Mexico.”¹

Genetic Testing Recommendation for multiple miscarriages after age 35

Genetic testing is advisable for instances of more than 2 miscarriages or 2 failed IVF cycles after the age of 35.

Important jobs your MTHFR gene does

Processes folate

Processes Vitamin B12

Produces key brain chemistry components,

such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine

Regulates gene expression

Processes heavy metals

Is active in hormone regulation

Participates in immune function

Regulates homocysteine production

Technical terms you will see with MTHFR gene testing, information & results

We inherit genes from both of our parents: one from our mother and one from our father. It is possible to inherit only one defective gene which is called a heterozygous mutation. For some individuals, the function with a single normal MTHFR gene can be enough to avoid physical issues. In contrast, there are usually bigger health challenges in the case of inheriting two defective genes which is a homozygous mutation. Two defective genes cause far more problems than one.

With respect to genetic issues, patterns within your family can be clues to investigate when considering genetic and fertility testing.

Do consider the histories of your parents and siblings as well as your own when contemplating MTHFR gene testing.

Below you will see a partial list of issues known to associate with MTHFR gene

Autism	Miscarriages	Schizophrenia	Spina bifida	Migraines with aura	Epilepsy
Addictions	Pulmonary embolisms	Fibromyalgia	Bipolar disorders	Blood clots	Drug Toxicities: methotrexate, anti-epileptics
Down syndrome	Depression	Pre-eclampsia	Idiopathic male fertility	High homocysteine	Placental abruption

My next blog will also have additional MTHFR information. In it I will share with you the most common gene mutations seen and currently tested as well as supplements and dietary factors which can help.

Thank you for reading!

Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

Karen Reynolds, LAc, RN Acupuncture for Optimal Health

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish.

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: KReynoldsAcupuncture.com.

Be well!

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

¹Wilson, C.P., McNulty, H., Ward, M., Strain, J.J., Trouton, T.G., Hoeft, B.A., Weber, P., Roos, F.F., Horigan, G., McAnena, L., Scott, J.M. (2013). Blood Pressure in Treated Hypertensive Individuals With the MTHFR 677TT Genotype Is Responsive to Intervention With Riboflavin. Hypertension, 61, 1302-1308. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONHA.111.01047/-/DCI

Statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. All information on this site is provided as education and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. No information on this site is intended to replace or delay the use of any conventional medical treatment.

Antinuclear Antibodies & Your Fertility~Take Action

July 29, 2017 By Karen Reynolds

Welcome back to my Autoimmune Fertility series!

Antinuclear Antibodies & Your Fertility~Take Action

High levels of Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in your bloodstream are a sign of an autoimmune process and many autoimmune diseases affect fertility. Normally, your immune system focuses upon getting rid of foreign invaders like bacteria or viruses. However, with autoimmune issues, your body attacks itself.

Antinuclear antibodies & your fertility–>Here are ways to take action

One thing you can do is acupuncture. Research repeatedly reflects that acupuncture promotes balance in the immune system. Here is how it works. Your immune system contains cells called lymphocytes. There exist specialized types of lymphocytes called “Th1 helper cells” and “Th2 helper cells.” A balance of Th1 and Th2 cells is most ideal. With autoimmune diseases, Th1 and Th2 cells can become unbalanced in numbers or immune system activities. Physical problems arise if Th1 immune cells overpower the Th2 immune cells or vice versa.

Th1 & Th2 cells are naturally regulated by

ANA’s impact fertility but there are steps you can take to improve it

acupuncture in the direction

your body needs to go.

Research shows that whether you

need more or less of either,

acupuncture can influence

better balance the

Th1 & Th2 scales.^1,^2, ^{3, 4.}

Below are medical diagnoses associated with fertility challenges and either too many Th 1 helpers or too many Th 2 helpers.

Diseases affecting fertility with too many Th 1 helper cells (aka “Th 1 dominance”)

Celiac disease

Multiple sclerosis

Graves’ disease

Psoriasis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Inflammatory bowel disease/Crohn’s disease

Sjoren’s syndrome

Lichen planus

Type I diabetes (previously known as juvenile onset diabetes)

Diseases affecting fertility with too many Th 2 helper cells (aka “Th 2 dominance”)

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Ulcerative colitis

•Take action with Antinuclear antibodies and your fertility a second way. Begin a grain free/gluten free diet and make use of specific Th 1 or Th 2 support supplements. Below are lists of Th 1 and Th 2 supportive foods, supplements or herbs.

Support for Th 1 helper cells

Astragalus
Echinacea
Glycyrrhiza (Licorice)
Lemon Balm
Panax Ginseng
Chlorella
Grape Seed Extract
Maitake, Reishi, and Shitake Mushroom Extracts

Support for Th 2 helper cells

Green Tea Extract
Pine Bark Extract
White Willow Bark
Lycopene (found in tomatoes)
Resveratrol (found in grape skin and cocoa)
Pycnogenol
Curcumin (found in turmeric)
Quercitin (found in onions, berries and kale)

The next blog post of my Autoimmune Fertility Series has a focus on the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and fertility. Stay tuned!

Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

Karen Reynolds, LAc, RN Acupuncture for Optimal Health

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish.

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: KReynoldsAcupuncture.com.

Be well!

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

¹ McDonald, J.L., Cripps, A.W., Smith, P.K. (2015). Mediators, Receptors, and SignalingPathways in the Anti-Inflammatory and Antihyperalgesic Effects of Acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2015, Article ID 975632, 10 pages.

²Xiao, Q.S., Ma, M.Y., Zhang, X.S., Deng, M.H., Yang Yan, Z. (2015). Effect of Acupuncture on Prognosis and Immune Function of Sepsis Patients. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi,Jul; 35(7): 783-786.

³Kim, S K, Bae, H. (2010). Acupuncture and immune modulation. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical, 2010-10-28, Volume 157, Issue 1, Pages 38-41.

⁴Ding, S.S., Hong, S.H., Wang, C., Guo, Y., Wang, Z.K., Xu, Y. (2013). Acupuncture modulates the neuru-endocrine-immune network. Quarterly Journal of Medicine, 107, 341-345. doi: 10.1093/qjmed/hct196

Learn About How Antinuclear Antibodies Affect Your Fertility

July 20, 2017 By Karen Reynolds

Welcome to my 8-part Autoimmune Fertility series

Learn About How Antinuclear Antibodies Affect Your Fertility

This is Part I, Blog I, focusing on how Antinuclear antibodies (ANA’s) affect your fertility. Here you will learn about what Antinuclear antibodies are and tests to check them. Blog II will discuss things you can do if you have high ANA’s.

If you are a woman who has had multiple miscarriages

or failed In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles,

Antinuclear antibodies can be especially important.

First: what is an “antibody”? Antibodies are normal parts of your immune system. They float around in your blood stream and tissues to keep your system healthy. Antibodies do this by scanning your body to locate intruders or foreign substances. Intruders are things like bacteria or viruses. In some cases, antibodies may attack your own tissues. Hence autoimmune problems: this is when the body attacks itself.

So antibodies can be helpful and some can cause problems. With respect to fertility, the presence of very specific and high levels of antibodies, like Antinuclear antibodies (ANA’s) can impact getting pregnant and carrying to term.

Elevated levels of Antinuclear antibodies contributed to infertility

Fertility, implantation and carrying to term are impacted by the presence of positive Antinuclear antibodies

Fertility issues associated with high levels of Antinuclear antibodies (ANA’s) ^{1, 2}
Reduced egg quality	Failed IVF cycles
Impaired embryo development	Infertility
Recurrent miscarriage/Recurrent Pregnancy Loss	Ovarian dysfunction
Endometriosis

Blood tests for ANA’s are measured as titers

ANA Titer of 1:20=“Negative”

ANA Titer of 1:40 or greater=“Significant”

ANA Titer of 1:40 to 1:80=“Low positive”

ANA Titer of 1:160 to 1:320=“Moderate positive”

ANA Titer of equal to or greater than 1:640=“High”

{Please note that these ANA’s can be further broken down into specific types of ANA’s, but for the purposes of this blog, I will not elaborate on those. Doctors specializing in reproductive immunology often run further ANA testing panels if general ANA testing results are high.}

A word about lab tests

Antinuclear antibodies affect fertility

Results of lab tests are best reviewed and monitored by your physician and team of licensed providers such as acupuncturists, RNs, nurse practitioners etc.

It is wise to consider results within the context of your present health, your current goals, and also comparing newest results to former results. Looking at lab test results over periods of time can give you and your team valuable information about your fertility.

To illustrate this, here are several examples looking at ANA levels for very different women:

One of my patients is a woman not seeking to become pregnant. She has ANA titers which fluctuate between 1:20 to 1:60. Her mother and siblings have Rheumatoid arthritis. She knows that acupuncture is ideal for helping regulate the immune system and reduce general levels of inflammation. Considering her genetics, her goal is to proactively monitor her lab work and get acupuncture. For her, these mild ANA ups and downs are not currently associated with changes in her health or developing autoimmune connective tissue problems.

In contrast, I have had fertility patients who show seemingly small rises in their ANA titers (ie: from 1:40 to 1:60) and these are accompanied by a failed IVF cycle. The bump up in ANA titers is significant for these women, because the climbing numbers reflect a flare in their immune systems.

In your quest to become pregnant,

do educate yourself.

If immune testing is applicable,

please seek the expertise of both medical doctors and trained complimentary care providers.

High Antinuclear antibodies are generally found with these medical diagnoses

Dermatomyositis

General collagen vascular diseases

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Scleroderma polymyositis

Sjogren’s syndrome

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic sclerosis

Medications known to elevate ANA²

Apresoline (Hydralazine) ~ Used for high blood pressure

Procanbid/Pronestyl (Procainamide) ~Used for irregular heart rhythm

Isonicotinylhydtrazine (INH)(Isoniazid) ~Antibiotic

Part I, Blog II of Learn About How Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA’s) Affect Your Fertility is next. It will have specific information about what you can do if you have positive ANA titers and fertility challenges. Stayed tuned for that post to be released next Tuesday, 7/25/17!

¹Li, Y., Wang, Y., Ma, Y., Lan, Y., Jia, C., Liang, Y., Wang, S. (2015). Investigation of the impact of antinuclear antibody on the outcome of in vitro fertilizations/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. The Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 54, 742-748. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tog.2015.09.001

²Li, Y Molazadeh, M., Karimazadeh, H., Azizi, M.R. (2014). Prevalence and clinical significance of antinuclear antibodies in Iranian women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage. Iran Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 12 (3) 221-226.

Thank you for reading!

Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

Karen Reynolds, LAc, RN Acupuncture for Optimal Health

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: KReynoldsAcupuncture.com.

Be well!

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

Learn More About Autoimmune Fertility, Genetics & What You Can Do

July 18, 2017 By Karen Reynolds

Autoimmune fertility issues are ones I frequently see in my acupuncture practice. In fact: the creation of this blog series comes from the profound inspiration of my many patients with these challenges. These are women who are seek to understand their bodies, strive to become pregnant, and have happy, healthy babies.

My name is Karen Reynolds. I am an RN with 29-years’ experience as a critical care nurse and 17 years as an acupuncturist specializing in women’s health and complex fertility issues.

Welcome to my 8-part blog series

Learn More About Autoimmune Fertility,

Acupuncture helps regulate inflammation seen with autoimmune issues.

Genetics & What You Can Do!

I have gathered research on 8 different topics which involve autoimmune fertility. I will present over the next 8 weeks. Each topic will have

2 dedicated blogs posts each week. The first will discuss the medical pattern, signs or symptoms often seen with the pattern, and testing for it. The second blog will address how you can be proactive about your fertility related to the specific topic.

Enhancing your fertility, ability to get pregnant and carry to term.

Though medical opinions differ, new research is repeatedly showing that genetic variables and autoimmune patterns directly impact a woman’s ability to become pregnant, avoid miscarriages, and carry to term.¹ One good thing about living in our high-tech age, is that testing is available to see if you have genetic variations or autoimmune related substances (antibodies) in your system.

As an introduction to this blog series focusing upon autoimmune and genetic factors and your fertility, below are indications which might prompt you to discuss testing with your doctor.

Doctors specializing in autoimmune issues recommend immunological reproductive testing for a history of any of these alone or in combination:

2 Miscarriages after the age of 35.
2 IVF failed cycles after the age of 35.
Less than 6 eggs produced in a fertility stimulated cycle.
Infertility of unknown origin, also known as idiopathic infertility
Known immune related medical diagnoses i.e.: Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, positive Antinuclear antibody tests (ANA)
History of pregnancy showing retarded fetal growth.
One living child followed by miscarriages with attempts to have a second child.
History of blighted eggs, also known an anembryonic pregnancy. (This occurs when an egg fertilizes and attaches to the uterine wall, but does not grow.)

¹Li, Y., Wang, Y., Ma, Y., Lan, Y., Jia, C., Liang, Y., Wang, S. (2015). Investigation of the impact of antinuclear antibody on the outcome of in vitro fertilizations/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. The Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 54, 742-748. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tog.2015.09.001

Thank you for reading about autoimmune fertility. Stay tuned for the 8 Part blogs series starting THIS week!

Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate liking my Facebook page at:

Karen Reynolds, LAc, RN Acupuncture for Optimal Health

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: KReynoldsAcupuncture.com.

Be well!

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

Menstrual Pain: Stop It With Acupuncture

July 10, 2017 By Karen Reynolds

Each month many women dread menstrual pain. Did you know acupuncture can get you out of monthly menstrual pain? The diagnosis which medical doctors give period pain is called Dysmenorrhea. This can be either Primary dysmenorrhea or Secondary dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea causing menstrual pain means:

there appears to be no physical cause for your pain during menstrual bleeding.

Secondary dysmenorrhea causing menstrual pain means:

there is a known source of your pain i.e.: endometriosis, fibroids or following a post-traumatic injury.

Irrespective of type of menstrual pain: Dysmenorrhea causes severe, cramping pain and is debilitating. It also can lead to extreme stress, loss of quality family time, missed social events, and absences from work.

Other Dymenorrhea Symptoms
Anxiety	Nausea & Vomiting	Leg pain
Dizziness	Fatigue	Back pain
Mood changes	Headache	Diarrhea

Usual treatments for Dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain)

Typical conventional medicine approaches to treating menstrual pain include:

Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and/or oral contraceptives (birth control pills).

While many people can take several days of NSAIDs without issue, there are risks such as the side effects noted below. Two times in this year alone, I have had patients develop stomach perforation (hole in the stomach) due to taking NSAIDs. Both required emergency surgery. In one a case, my patient had only been on NSAIDs for a day or so following a dental procedure and had taken the medication exactly as prescribed.

Mild or Not-So-Mild NSAID Side Effects
Stomach pain/burning	Dizziness	Wheezing
Stomach ulcers	Ear ringing	Liver problems
Stomach bleeding	Skin rashes	Kidney problems
Headache	Throat tightness	Leg swelling

Common over-the-counter Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Ibuprofen

Advil

Motrin

Naproxen

{There are additionally many prescription strength NSAIDs}

Birth control pills can be helpful for menstrual pain. The progesterone in oral contraceptives blocks some of the substances (called prostaglandins) which aggravate the uterus each month. Prostaglandins are released as the uterine lining breaks down each month. It is prostaglandins which reduce blood flow to the uterus and then cause the contracting pain during the period. ¹ However, some women do not tolerate BC pills and younger women may be hesitant to start them in their teenage years.

Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture are immensely effective for painful periods

Clinical trials of women with dysmenorrhea who received acupuncture found:

Decreased pain,
Improved blood flow to the uterus,
Reduction in prostaglandin levels,
On-going reduction in prostaglandin levels even 3 months after acupuncture treatments,
Reduced use of pain medications (in both frequencey and dosage),
Improved quality of social function, vitality, as well as physical, mental and emotional health.²

¹Smith, C. A., Armour, M., Zhu, X., Li, X., Lu, Z.Y., Song, J. (2016). Acupuncture for dysmenorrhoea (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4, 1-129. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007854.pub3

²ibid.

Acupuncture is an option to reduce your monthly suffering. Contact me for a free 10-minute phone consultation. If you are not located in the Bay area, contact your local licensed acupuncturist to find out how acupuncture and electro-acupuncture can help you with menstrual cycle pain!

Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
If you found this article helpful, I would appreciate you liking my Facebook page at:

Karen Reynolds, LAc, RN Acupuncture for Optimal Health

For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: KReynoldsAcupuncture.com.

Be well! Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

Welcome back to my Autoimmune Fertility series!

Should you consider MTHFR gene testing?

What does MTHFR mean?

“The frequency of the homozygous mutant MTHFR 677TT genotype is reported to be

10% worldwide, ranging from 4% to 18% in the United States,

20% in northern China

to as high as 32% in Mexico.” 1

Important jobs your MTHFR gene does

Processes folate

Processes Vitamin B12

Produces key brain chemistry components,

such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine

Regulates gene expression

Processes heavy metals

Is active in hormone regulation

Participates in immune function

Regulates homocysteine production

Technical terms you will see with MTHFR gene testing, information & results

Below you will see a partial list of issues known to associate with MTHFR gene