The MTHFR Gene, Methylation, and Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Look Into It
By Dr. Afraz Adam | Medical Director, DRIPS
You’re eating well. You’re exercising. You’re ticking “all the right boxes”. But you still feel flat. Tired. Foggy. A bit off. And nothing you do seems to shift it.
There could be a deeper reason rooted in your genes—and one small but powerful process called methylation.
At Drips, we take a doctor-led approach to uncovering exactly this kind of hidden cause. One of the most overlooked yet critical factors? A tiny but powerful gene called MTHFR, and the process it controls: methylation.
What Is Methylation - and Why Does It Matter?
Methylation is one of your body’s most important biochemical processes. It’s happening in the background, all day, every day—quietly influencing how your body functions. When methylation is working well, you’re more likely to feel sharp, resilient, and energised. When it’s not, everything can feel harder.
Methylation affects:
Detoxify effectively (especially in the liver)
Hormone regulation, including mood chemicals like serotonin and dopamine
Produce energy at the cellular level
Maintain healthy immune function
DNA repair and inflammation control
If methylation isn’t working well, you may experience symptoms that feel vague but persistent—fatigue, anxiety, low mood, poor recovery, or recurring gut issues.
And the MTHFR gene plays a key role in whether methylation works efficiently—or not.
The MTHFR Gene: What You Need to Know
The MTHFR gene (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) is responsible for converting folic acid into methyl-folate—the active form your body needs for methylation to happen.
But here’s the catch: many New Zealanders carry common variants of this gene (like C677T or A1298C) that reduce enzyme activity.
These variants reduce your enzyme activity. So even if you’re taking folate (or folic acid in your multivitamin), your body might not be converting it properly.
Over time, that can contribute to:
Chronic fatigue or burnout
Brain fog or poor memory
Mood instability, anxiety or low resilience to stress
Headaches or migraines
Hormonal imbalances
Detoxification issues and sensitivity to alcohol or medications
These aren’t just minor inconveniences—they’re signs that your body’s core pathways might need precision support, not guesswork.
Why You Can’t Reply on Standard Blood Tests - Monitoring via Homocysteine
Most routine blood tests don’t assess methylation status or screen for MTHFR variants. They might show that your folate level is “normal,” but they won’t tell you whether your body is actually using it. While genetic testing can help identify your MTHFR status, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Homocysteine—a byproduct of methylation—is a functional marker that reflects how well your methylation cycle is performing in real time (Optimal levels are typically 6–9 µmol/L). Testing homocysteine is a simple blood test that we often include in your methylation panels.
At Drips we offer a deeper, functional approach. Our comprehensive health consultations include the option for MTHFR genetic testing, combined with targeted methylation panels and blood test — interpreted by our doctor who actually take the time to explain what it means and what to do next.
What Methylation Support Looks Like:
For clients with methylation issues or MTHFR gene variants, you’ll need the right form of nutrients—given in the right way.
This often includes:
Methyl-folate (not folic acid)
Activated B12 (in methyl or hydroxy form)
Vitamin B6, magnesium, and choline to support your gut and liver
Personalised lifestyle guidance around sleep, stress, and alcohol
Each recommendation we make is backed by your test results, and explained clearly. So you know why you’re taking something—and what to expect.
Is MTHFR Testing Right for You?
If you’ve been taking supplements and still feel like something’s missing, or if you’ve never quite figured out why energy and mood are always up and down— it’s time to explore a more functional medicine approach.
Drips offers:
Doctor consultations across NZ (virtual or in-person in Auckland)
MTHFR gene testing and full interpretation
Targeted methylation blood panels
A proper medical plan—not just a vitamin list
You don’t need to figure it out on your own - and you don’t need to wait until things get worse.
Book a doctor consultation to explore your methylation health.
We’ll help you understand what your genes are telling you—and how to work with them, not against them