MTHFR and Folate
What MTHFR is
MTHFR is a gene that produces an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. This enzyme converts synthetic folic acid (the form used in standard supplements and fortified foods) into 5-MTHF — the active form your body actually uses.
Up to 40% of women carry a variant in the MTHFR gene that reduces how efficiently this conversion happens. For some, the reduction is mild. For others, it's significant.
Why this matters for fertility
Folate plays a key role in:
- Maternal tissue growth during pregnancy (GB Authorised Health Claim)
- Cell division (GB Authorised Health Claim)
- DNA synthesis
- Homocysteine metabolism
If you have an MTHFR variant and you're taking synthetic folic acid, your body may not be converting it efficiently into the form it needs. This is why some preconception practitioners now recommend 5-MTHF directly.
What BioMirco does
We never use synthetic folic acid. Every BioMirco fertility formula uses 5-MTHF calcium — the active, bioavailable form. Fertility Advance contains 800µg per daily serving; Fertility Focus contains 533µg.
This means our formulas work for 100% of women regardless of MTHFR status.
Should you test for MTHFR?
You don't necessarily need to. Many practitioners recommend just using 5-MTHF from the start as the safer default. If you've had recurrent miscarriages, NTD risk concerns, or unexplained TTC challenges, your GP may suggest MTHFR genetic testing.