homocysteine levels and so on

[breannesmith55]

When I was ten weeks I was put on folic acid b6 and b12. I thought because I tested positive for lupus anticoagulant.
Today they are doing more blood work, this time checking my homocystein levels. and retesting to see if LA is still positive. To see if they want to put me on lovenox
I'm confused because I don't know what any of these things mean and if they are treating me correctly for them. Did anyone else have a positive LA, and abnormal homocysteine levels? what does it mean?

[kara]

Homocysteine levels are checked if there is an MTHFR (methyl tetra hydro folate reductase) mutation(s). LA is lupus anticoagulant. They might treat your LA with lovenox. MTHFR isn't usually treated with lovenox, but rather folic acid and b vitamins. LDA might help both conditions.

Are you seeing a perinatologist/maternal fetal medicine specialist?

[breannesmith55]

yes, hes the one that ordered the blood work. I'm already on folic acid b12 and b6, but this is the first i've heard of MTHFR, but it sounds like I have it. He said I had a problem producing folate.. perhaps MTHFR is what he means, but doesn't feel like explaining. doctors like to leave me out of the loop and only explain parts of things to me. I think its because I'm so young and I look like I'm 16, I cant help it. Thank you I will look into it and add it to my list of questions to ask at my next apt.

[kara]

I'm not a doc, and this is a very simplified explanation, but I hope it helps. There are two types of MTHFR. Heterozygous, meaning a gene mutation on one gene, and homozygous meaning a mutation on BOTH genes. The former is found in 50% of the population and doesn't usually cause problems. The later can cause a problem metabolizing folate (b vitamin). MTHFR can lead to clotting issues if homocysteine levels are too high. The LDA and b vitamins you are on are helpful if you do have the mutation on both genes. The homocysteine check will tell them more. Good luck!

[caryn]

The doc-communication problem is why we are here. :) A lot of docs just don't have, or don't take, *time* to back up and explain, but we have that kind of time.

Holler with any more questions. :)