MTHFR Gene Testing in Westminster, CO
One test, done once, that explains a piece of your chemistry for the rest of your life. We run it when the rest of your labs suggest the MTHFR enzyme deserves a look.
What the MTHFR Gene Does
The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is the set of instructions your body uses to make the MTHFR enzyme. That enzyme converts folate (vitamin B9) into the active form the body can use, and it drives methylation, the process that turns homocysteine into methionine and switches countless proteins and enzymes on at the right moment. Methylation is also one of the body's daily detox routes, for everything from food additives and pesticides to hormones the body is finished with.
A variation in the gene means reduced enzyme activity. These variations affect roughly half the population, so having one is not rare and not a diagnosis. Without enough enzyme activity, though, homocysteine can build up in the blood, and poor methylation has been linked to cardiovascular, mental-health and immune conditions, as well as to folate-related birth defects such as spina bifida. Our test detects the two most common variations, C677T and A1298C. Because it is genetic, you take it once and it becomes permanent context for every other lab you run with us.
What the two variations mean
- C677T, two copies: 60 to 80% reduction in enzyme function
- C677T, one copy: 30 to 40% reduction
- A1298C, two copies: about 40% reduction
- A1298C, one copy: about 20% reduction
Whether you actually methylate well is decided by the same three stressors we test for everywhere: traumas, toxins and thoughts. The gene sets the ceiling; your labs and symptoms show where you are under it.
Folate, Not Folic Acid
Folic acid, the synthetic form in fortified foods and most prenatal vitamins, is not the same as folate. It can correct a severe deficiency, but it also slows the other pathways natural folate is meant to run, and a person with reduced MTHFR activity converts it poorly. If your result shows a variation, your plan uses methyl folate or folinic acid instead, alongside the B-vitamin cofactors methylation depends on. This matters most for women planning a pregnancy, which is why the test often sits next to a female panel.
Why We Read It Next to Homocysteine
A gene result on its own is a possibility. Paired with a measured marker, it becomes useful. Homocysteine appears on our Cardiometabolic Panel and on the female and male hormone panels, and your doctor reads the MTHFR result alongside it: a variation plus a raised homocysteine is a very different conversation from a variation with everything else in range. That is also why the results appointment is part of the $575 option rather than an afterthought.
What this test does not do
It does not diagnose a disease, predict a future one, or tell you what to take on its own. A variation is common and, by itself, not a problem to fix. Its value is in interpretation: how it fits your homocysteine, your hormones, your history and your goals. We will not sell you a protocol based on a gene result alone.
The Process
- ConsultationWe check whether your history or existing labs make the test worthwhile.
- OrderThrough the clinic, or directly from the store if you already know you want it.
- CollectionSimple sample; we will tell you at ordering whether it is a draw or a kit, and where.
- Results appointmentYour doctor explains your result and reads it against homocysteine and the rest of your panel.
- On file for goodThe result is added to your record and shapes future testing and supplement decisions.
Pricing
$175 for the test and report. $575 with the results and interpretation appointment. If you are an existing patient adding this to a panel you are already reviewing, it is read in the same $400 appointment.
Who provides this care: Dr. Shannon Bundy, DC and Dr. Ivan Palou, DC at The Wellness Way Westminster. Testing is available in the clinic or remotely across Colorado and nationwide. New patient exam: $99 for a limited time (regularly $175).
Questions People Ask Us
Do I need to retest MTHFR later?
No. It is a genetic test; the result is the same for life.
Should I test MTHFR before anything else?
Usually not. It is most useful once you have a homocysteine reading or a specific reason from your history. Your doctor will tell you at the first exam whether it belongs on your list.
Is a mutation dangerous?
A variation on its own is common and not a diagnosis. Its meaning depends on your other markers, which is exactly what the results appointment is for.
Can I do this remotely?
Yes. Testing and the results appointment are available to remote patients.
Should I switch from folic acid to folate?
If you carry a variation, usually yes: methyl folate or folinic acid instead of folic acid, with the B vitamins that support methylation. Your doctor confirms the form and dose from your result and your homocysteine.
Related Pages
Add the Genetic Piece to Your Picture
Order the MTHFR test, or book a $99 exam and we will tell you whether it belongs on your list yet.
The Wellness Way Westminster · 12050 N Pecos St Ste 208, Westminster, CO 80023 · (720) 379-7255