CFS Genetic Test Results
About 2 months ago i took a genetic test through Dr. Amy Yasko. I thought it might help me understand how Chronic Fatigue is being caused in me and maybe would lead me to some new treatments. I had been reading messages on the co-cure forum by Dr. Rich Van Kronyenburg about the methylation cycle block theory. In his posts and other papers he had talked about Dr. Yasko’s test as a way to understand how your methylation cycle is functioning and what you need to take to get it functioning normally. These tests were orginally developed for kids with autism, but have more recently been applied to other diseases like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and parkinsons. I talked more about why i took the test and how i learned about it here. I finally got my genetic test results yesterday, and am pretty having a hard time understanding them. They came on a cd-rom that contained an 80 page pdf file with information about all of the mutations and how they can cause different malfinctions in these cycles.
Here is the 1st image of the genes that were tested:
This image alone wont mean anything unless you have read the literature, the book and watched the 2 dvds that came with the test. It can be pretty intimidating and is especially hard to understand if you have difficulty concentrating. I have to rewatch the dvds and look through the book again before i really know what these results mean.
Here is a bar graph showing what my main problems are:
This bar graph shows that i have a deletion of the ACE gene which is involved in breaking down the hormone aldosterone. Deletions in the ACE would cause increased activity in the enzymes that convert angiotensin I to angiotensin II. This would lead to increases in the hormone Aldosterone. Aldosterone and the ACE gene are a part of the stress systems of the body and could explain why i have low cortisol, dhea, and testosterone (not positive). High Aldosterone can cause elevated excretion of potassium relative to sodium. The lab interperetation by Dr. Yasko recommends using progesterone cream to decrease the effects of aldosterone. It also recommends taking her vitamins called anxiety support and aggression support to treat the ACE deletion.
My second main issue is with the SUOX Gene. This enzyme is responsible for detoxifying sulfites. It also impairs the bodies ability to detox ammonia and sulfur byproducts. People who have this mutation have lower levels of Molybdenum and Magnesium. (Ive had my mineral levels tested and i do have low molybdenum and magnesium)
For the Suox issue the lab interperetation suggests that I take NAC, Curcumin, B6, Sam-E, and Glutathione. I do already take nac, b6, and glutathione. They are some of the vitamins i take that help me the most.
The last main issue that my lab test showed was a problem with the MTHFRC677t Gene. This mutation would cause my body to have a problem converting homocystine to methionine. Which is interesting because on my most recent lab tests with my other doctor, my labs showed high levels of homocystine. For this she recommended Folic Acid, B12, and Tmg. This is exactly what my primary doctor told me to try for my high homocystine levels.
This diagram show the Ace Deletion and the Suox mutation:
This last image shows how the MTHFR C Mutation is affecting my methylation cycle. It causes increased levels of homocystine because it impairs the ability to change methionine into homocystine.
