What is MTHFR and Methylation Cycle
MTHFR stands for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, the infamous enzyme whose incorrect shape can put you at risk for a long list of conditions.
MTHFR is a very important enzyme that converts folate into a more usable form called methylfolate in each cell of the body. Methylfolate is responsible for the production of two important compounds.
First is a class of biochemicals called neurotransmitters. They are a class of chemicals that help you think, emote, and perform all sorts of physical activities.
Non-functional MTHFR enzyme that results from single nucleotide changes in your DNA will lead to low levels of neurotransmitters that, in turn, have consequences like insomnia, anxiety, depression, and ADHD, among others.
The second important compound that methylfolate helps to make is called S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe).
SAMe helps to regulate more than 200 enzymes in the body.
Without SAMe, your body is predisposed to conditions like infertility, thrombosis, miscarriage, autism, and certain forms of cancer.
About MTHFR and Methylation Genetic Test
An MTHFR genetic test does not require a medical recommendation.
You can simply download your raw DNA data and upload it to a third-party service provider to get your results.
Genetic reports are generated after the analysis of different polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene.
These polymorphisms tell you which variants you carry and if you are homozygous or heterozygous for those variations.
- If your DNA is homozygous for the variants, it means that you have inherited the variant gene from both your parents.
- If your DNA is heterozygous, it means that either of your parents has passed down the variant to you.
- Each status has its own implications depending on the type of variant and needs to be interpreted accordingly.
Now that you know the importance of being aware of your MTHFR polymorphisms, let’s compare two popular tools that provide you with your MTHFR status. These two third-party tools provide a comprehensive MTHFR status report from your raw data from companies like 23andme, AncestryDNA, Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), and others.
Genetic Genie DNA Raw Data Analysis
Genetic Genie test is a DNA raw data analysis from a 23andme ancestry test. The results are free.
The website interprets your DNA raw data for only your methylation and detox profile.
The detox profile looks at gene SNPs of the cytochrome P450 detox enzymes, amongst others.
It is important to look at this specific information because certain genetic polymorphisms have been shown to impair the detoxification of drugs, hormones, environmental toxins, xenobiotics, and more.
Interpreting Genetic Genie Results
The results column indicates whether you have a favorable, unfavorable, or intermediate genotype.
- Green: You carry two copies of the favorable allele which is associated with normal methylation.
- Yellow: You carry one copy each of favorable and unfavorable alleles associated with intermediate methylation.
- Red: You carry two copies of the unfavorable allele, which is associated with poor methylation.
Your result is not determined solely by any single entry but by the cumulative effect of all the genes and variations listed.
Image showing a section of the methylation report from Genetic Genie
To use Genetic Genie, you need to download your raw data file from the 23andMe website and upload it to the website.
Before you upload to the tool to test your MTHFR status, it is advisable to go through the website's privacy policy.
If you want to see a sample of how the test results look, you can download the dummy raw data file available on the website and upload it immediately.
Is Genetic Genie Safe?
According to the website, the DNA you upload for the free report is not stored anywhere. Further, the data is encrypted with an HTTPS connection.
So, there's little to no risk of DNA data misuse, making Genetic Genie a very safe platform.
However, it is recommended that you read their privacy policy in detail before using their services.
Xcode Life DNA Raw Data Analysis
Xcode Life test results are expert-curated from several large and high scientific authority databases, including UK biobank, Clinvar, OMIM, SNPedia, and leading scientific journals, to name a few, to curate the variant annotations.
Once you upload your raw data to Xcode Life, you will get your test results within 24 hours. You can download your test results and take it to your next routine health test check-up.
Images showing snippets of the MTHFR and Methylation report from Xcode Life
Xcode’s MTHFR reports are easily readable, understandable, and implementable.
The core philosophy of Xcode reports is to empower the user with actionable genetic information that they can use to enhance health and well-being.
The report not only includes a number of genetic variants in the MTHFR, MTRR, MTHFD, and other genes but also detailed and practical recommendations on compensating for MTHFR deficiency.
Xcode Life vs. Genetic Genie Methylation Reports
| Xcode Life | Genetic Genie | |
| No. of variants analyzed | 64 | 21 |
| No. of genes analyzed | 15 | 9 |
| Results interpretation | Provided | Not provided |
| Bar graph result representation | Present | Not present |
| Recommendations | Included | Not included |
| Post-test one-on-one chat assistance | Available on request | Not available |
| Price | $30 | Free |
Thank you for this review!
Thank you for the article. Exactly what implications are seen with a faulty MTHFR gene polymorphism?
Thank you for this comparison. I have tried Nutrition, Fitness and MTHFR from Xcode. I found the reports to be very useful and want to try the other reports.
Thank you for the neat comparison. I uploaded my raw data to genetic genie. I will try xcode's reports now.
Do these sites accept WGS files? I already did a genetic test with a company and I have a VCF file from them. I don't wanna spend another 100 bcks if I can help it.
Hi Arnold. Thank you for stopping by. Xcode Life accepts whole genome sequencing (WGS) files in the VCF format. Genetic Genie only accepts raw data from 23andMe till the v4 version. Hope this helps.
Is there a list somewhere of all the genes that are covered in Xcode's methylation report?
Hi Patty. Thank you for reading the article. Here is the ink to the page that contains the gene names in Xcode's methylation report: https://www.xcode.life/23andme-mthfr-raw-data-analysis
I have used Xcode Life before. Very neat and organized reports. It came very fast, in about 3 hours. Great service.
Thank you Jane. We appreciate your kind words!
Nice article! Thank you for all the information.
Thank you Thomas. I am glad you liked it.
Are the MTHFR SNPs found in the 23andme V5 chip? And does Xcode study those SNPs? Because the Genetic Genie website shows they accept only till the v4 chip. Thanks!
Hi Amanda! Thank you for reading the article. Yes, the MTHFR SNPs C677T (rs1801133) and A1298C (rs1801131) are both found in 23andMe v5 chip. And you are right Genetic Genie accepts raw data till the v4 version till date.
Do I need to order the $199 Health and Ancestry 23andMe kit or will the raw data from the $99 ancestry kit suffice for Genetic Genie or Xcode Life?
Hi Miranda! Thank you for reading the article. The Ancestry only genetic test from 23andme is enough for the Xcode MTHFR analysis. The 23andme raw data from the V5 chip has around 650,000 genetic markers.