MTHFR gene and heart health

So I got my regular TRT bloodwork done, and I asked my TRT doc to check out my LP(a) and the other stuff. Since my Homocystine was high, he decided I should get my MTHFR gene checked out as well.

Good news: the inflammation seems to have gone away, my CRP score and Homocysteine were both within range, so they have gone down considerably since last time they were checked.  This is probably from me taking high dose of L-Mthyl folate and vitamin C.

Bad news: Regarding the MTHFR gene, I am a homozygous mutant with the C677T SNP (also written as T677T).  From what I understand so far, this mutation severely hampers my body's ability to convert folic acid into folate. It affects my body's ability to create folate to about 30% of what a normal person can do. This, in turn, can cause other issues, such as high homocysteine (something I already have!). An important note to make is that people with the MTHFR gene are at higher risk for heart issues, like stroke and heart attack, etc.  So yay, one more thing that puts me at risk.

Going down the whole MTHFR rabbit hole has lead me to learn about Methylation. If you want to learn about it just read this article, but the TLDR version is that it's the metabolic process of switching genes on and off as well as repairing DNA.  

I'm a little confused now because it seems Niacin is good for lowering Lp(a), but it will hinder my ability to methylnate, which is a bad thing ("Avoid taking high doses of niacin (vitamin B3), which can hinder methylation."). So my TRT Dr has be taking 5mg of folate to lower my homocysteine and help my body methylate, while my cardiologist has me taking large doses of niacin to try to lower my LP(a).  Perhaps they are just canceling each other out? What to do concerning this will probably be my biggest question for my Cardiologist.

Shifting focus to more about Hearth health.

Ok so it's been like forever since my last post. 1) who really blogs anymore, amirite? 2) there really hasn't been nothing earthshattering to report. I was broken, I'm now less broken, and yet I'm still in pain because I'm still broken 3) I've kind of moved on with my life.

I'd like to focus on that last part for now.  As I stand here typing this out. I'm experiencing discomfort/pain in my lower back on the right side, and I feel some neck pain also on the left side.  I still feel lower back pain when I squat/deadlfit, but this pain has been moving around. Currently it's now feeling more like my QL/Oblique on my RIGHT side.  Typically in the past the pain has been on my left side. So there's change, which is good. Change means progress is being made. What you don't want is to get a treatment (whatever treatment that may be) and then go right back to feeling the same way.

And yet, with these pains, they are pains that don't really bug me like they used to. These pains are easier to ignore, easier to just accept and move on.  And while I am planning to see Dr. Fullerton at least one more time, I'm also starting to listen to my wife who thinks I just need to accept that I will always be in pain and just move on with life.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I used to really identify myself by these pains and the overcoming of these pains. I'm starting to move away from that, PRP and these injuries are not as central to my self-identity as they once were.

But I always seem to have an interest in something health-related, and now it is heart related.  ...I guess this should come as too much of a surprise given that I'm now approaching 40.

Because I'm on testosterone replacement therapy, I get regular bloodwork done.  Well, for some random reason my TRT doc decided to not only get the typical cholesterol blood panel, but ordered that my Lp(a) get tested as well.

The Lp(a) is a sub-fraction of a cholesterol particle, I won't go into much detail about it because there's already articles written up about it, like this one: http://www.lipoproteinafoundation.org/?page=UnderstandLpa.

The TLDR version is that LP(a) is super inflamatory, and some people have super high levels despite nutrition and exercise. One famous example is Bob Parker of "The Biggest Loser" who had a heart attack despite taking such good care of himself. Genetically he was predispositioned to have hight Lp(a) levels

From what I can tell, you want Lp(a) to be under 14 mg/dL. borderline is 14-30,  high risk is 31-50, and very high risk is over 50.

The test showed my levels at 80

Seeing this I feel like I am lucky to be alive right now.

So yeah, it seems that I am one of those with the genetic predisposition for high levels.  Since getting these results I've started taking niacin, as it seems to be the only thing that can affect Lp(a) levels.

The test also showed that I had undesirable levels of Apo-b, another kind of protein. My level was 110 with a range being lower than 80.

When I asked my TRT doc about it he seemed unconcerned about it, but this isn't his specialty so I'm going to have to find someone else to ask about this stuff.

I later had more bloodwork done, and while it didn't test the Lp(a) or Apo-b, it showed more inflammation in my blood.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation. My levels was about three times the range at 20.5 with a range of less than 8

I also had super high Homocysteine levels, which could indicate a deficiency of folate or B12. Doc wants me on 5mg of B12 a day, which I'm currently doing. Again though, this was serious as my levels were 33.2 with a range of under 11.4

All these put me in super high risk of a heart attack, stroke, etc.  I need to figure this stuff out quick before it kills me.  I'm adding in B12 to help with the liver/homocysteine levels, Niacin for the Lp(a) levesl, and Vitamin C to lower the CRP. I'm also trying to remove sugar from my diet, as well as processed grains. Hopefully this will be all that I need, but I may need to try to book an appointment with a specialist in the near future.

Thankfully, my trygicerides are low, my HDL is high, and my blood pressure seems to be pretty good ~120/80.

Man, I am worried though. Really hits home that I could up and leave this earth at any time.  

TLDR: My bloodwork shows that I have tons of inflammation in my blood and am super risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and stroke.  I have super high Lp(a), Apo-B, C reactive protien, and homocycteine.  I'm changing up my diet, adding in vitamins Niacin, B12, and C to my daily routine. Doing this for a month and then getting re-tested. If that shows problems then I'm calling in a specialist. Pray for me.

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