Hey there!

Over the past few months, I have been delving into self discovery. In doing so I have discovered things about myself that I never knew existed. Firstly, I have been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease http://www.coeliac.org.au  (two of my boys as well); secondly, I have tested positive for the Methylene TetraHydroFolate Reductase (MTHFR) gene. I was tested for MTHFR C667T and MTHFR A1298C. The results came back positive-Heterozygous Mutation Detected for both. “Mutation! What do you mean MUTATION??” “ What is that” I hear you say?!  Exactly what I said to my doctor when he gave me the news, so I get where you are coming from.

The MTHFR gene encodes an enzyme in the methylation cycle.

MTHFR (‘5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase’) converts 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, and is an important cofactor in the biosynthesis of SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine), the primary methyl donor involved in regulating gene expression. http://www.genetics.edu.au › Health Professionals

Look what happens when you take the time to quite your mind, follow your intuition and take an interest in self discovery and health-YAY!

After suffering headaches/migraines for as long as I can recall, the sad loss of a good friend, CAT scans, MRI’s and the niggling urge to take a closer, more self invested look at my health, I was finally on the way to taking care of me. Having all standard conventional medical tests at the time come back showing I was in perfect health (ah, bull crap), I followed the advice of a respected work colleague and investigated “alternate” medicine. Fast forward two and a half, three years and here I am……….. a MTHFR mutant Coeliac!!!!

My fantastic naturopath detoxed me, I followed my intuition and chose a gluten free, dairy free, organic when possible, vegetarian “diet”,making the decision to become totally vegan late 2014. What I didn’t know at the time, was this was exactly what my body needed. 

Everything happens for a reason, the doctor who diagnosed my MTHFR and Coeliac Disease was not my usual GP of the last nine years, but one who could see me at the time I need a doctor. I knew I found the right doctor for me when he enquired about my fantastic naturopath, and along with carrying out more conventional medical tests, discussed energy flow, chakras, essential oils and intuition! Between him monitoring my blood work and ordering the required tests I need to manage my health and my naturopath monitoring my vitamin and supplement levels, I can confidently say that I am in good medical hands 😊

With the Coeliac diagnosis occurring first, it was important that I adhere to a strict gluten free diet. The diagnosis of MTHFR closely followed. It was through this diagnosis I learned that eating a plant based diet, and a toxin free as possible lifestyle plays an essential part in aiding in Methylation (a clean living lifestyle aides in Methylation and a healthy liver; a healthy liver aides in the detoxification process within our bodies) http://www.mthfrsupport.com.au/what-is-mthfr/   Something my body has been struggling with, (possibly always) and played a huge part in my headaches/migraines-who would’ve thought?

Other symptoms I have and do experience that are MTHFR related are:

• anxiety/depression
• insomnia
• headaches/migraines
• brain fogginess
• lack of vitamin B especially B12
• suffer dizziness
• miscarriage
• long standing fatigue and just don’t feel good even though you have had many tests and many doctors/specialists/practitioners have said that there is nothing wrong with you
• inflammation
• folate deficient

In light of this, the focus soon turned to replenishing the villi (small finger-like projections of the mucous membrane) that lines the small intestine (it is the villi’s job to absorb the nutrients we put in our body). Even though I was consciously eating right, avoiding toxins on and in my body and fuelling my body with the nutrients it needed to sustain my lifestyle, my body couldn’t absorb them because the villi was destroyed from all of the years eating the wrong foods for my body.

I cannot verbalise the sense of relief I felt through out all of this. Even though it felt like every time I had a test done, something new would pop up, at the same time I felt clarity. Clarification that I wasn’t crazy, there was an actual reason for why I felt the way I did, there was a reason for me to meet the GP I needed to meet, and a reason for my clean living dietary choices. .

There has been an accumulation of contributing factors that paved the way for me to become more aware in taking care of me, with every little step I take on my path that is life, I am continuously working on being the best version of me that I can be. I believe that I am definitely on the right track for optimum health and wellbeing-both physically and mentally. Through out the past 3 years especially, I have grown and learnt that for me to be able to be there for others, I need to be there and invest in me. I am still, and always will be, a work in progress.

I have also learned to trust. Trust your gut, intuition and any other little nigglings you feel. You know yourself better than anyone, don’t let yourself down by ignoring your intuition!

Oh, I nearly forgot. My new GP, he is currently studying natural therapies so he can offer his patients a combined and well balanced mix of both conventional and natural medicine!

Until next time…………..take care of you!

Trene x

“When faced with a dilemma, take a moment sit with the issue. Don’t rush to decide what to do. Intend to let Divine inspiration flow to you, and it will be so.” ~Christiane Northrup, M.D.