MTHFR

Metabolic System · Vitamin, Cofactor & One-Carbon Metabolism

Do common MTHFR variants mean I must take methylfolate?

MTHFR helps convert folate into a form used in homocysteine metabolism. Common variants do not by themselves require methylfolate, and they should not be confused with rare severe MTHFR deficiency.

Common Gene Name
methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase
NCBI Gene ID
4524
Chromosome
1

Clinical Evidence Status

Established disease relationshipTumor or drug-label biomarker context

These labels describe available evidence about a gene. They do not classify your variant or recommend a treatment.

Answer Sources

Explore supporting evidence (7 records)
Condition or drugEvidenceGrade / statusContextSource
homocystinuria due to methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase deficiencyClinGen gene-disease validityDefinitiveAutosomal recessiveView source
2019-06-18
HomocystinuriaMedlinePlus related conditionAssociation type varies; no grade assigned hereView source
2016-04
Spina bifidaMedlinePlus related conditionAssociation type varies; no grade assigned hereView source
2016-04
AnencephalyMedlinePlus related conditionAssociation type varies; no grade assigned hereView source
2016-04
Age-related hearing lossMedlinePlus related conditionAssociation type varies; no grade assigned hereView source
2016-04
Alopecia areataMedlinePlus related conditionAssociation type varies; no grade assigned hereView source
2016-04
BetaineFDA labeling biomarkerLabel mentions biomarker; actionability not inferredInborn Errors of MetabolismView source

Source snapshot: 2026-09-09. Consumer text updated: 2026-09-10. Source dates describe the cited records, not a new clinical review.

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