The results of my recent blood tests are in! My progesterone and estradiol levels were perfect post-ovulation, so we know I’m “fertile” now, which I continue to credit to the maca root powder–I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you do not ovulate on your own or have a hormonal imbalance, add 1 Tbsp of maca root powder to a shake every day, and I’m telling you, you will start ovulating without the meds. (Word to the wise, put it in a shake with peanut butter. That’s the only way to mask the awful taste.) It worked for me, and I know it works for many, many women out there. Anyway, back to my lab results. Fortunately/unfortunately, I tested positive for a genetic mutation of MTHFR, which means I have a blood clotting disorder. I’m glad to finally have a definitive reason for my infertility that is fixable, but what I’m about to say next is why I consider myself unfortunate. We know for certain I miscarried once, back in March 2011; however, since trying to conceive more than 2 years ago, I’ve had several late periods along with negative home pregnancy tests. My doctor believes those may have been early miscarriages caused by this blood clotting disorder. So all this time I’ve been told I was infertile, when in reality, I may actually be suffering recurrent miscarriages. What happens with this blood clotting disorder is the woman conceives a baby, but when the baby implants in her uterus, a small blood clot forms at the implantation site, causing the baby to detach and miscarry. The thought of that is quite depressing, but I hope we will find ourselves having successful pregnancies and healthy babies soon now that we know exactly what is wrong with me.
I will be starting a pill regimen tomorrow to treat this blood clotting disorder. I will be taking 81 mg of aspirin 1x /day, 100 mg of vitamin B6 2x/day, and a prescription called Full Guard 2x/day. Full Guard is a combination of high amounts of folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and iron. You may be wondering why my “meds” are actually high doses of B-Vitamins. The MTHFR gene causes your body to produce an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (say that 3 times fast!). This enzyme assists your body in producing amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. The exact detailed science of all this is a little over my head, but I know this process requires your body to absorb folic acid (vitamin B9) to make the amino acids. So, long story short, when a person has a mutation of this MTHFR gene, their body either does not produce the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme or it produces an altered version of that enzyme. Without that enzyme, the body does not absorb B-Vitamins the way it should. Like I said, I understand that much, but how that causes blood clots is beyond me. However, I am relieved to know about this before having children, because I learned that if left untreated, this mutation can cause neural tube defects, such as spina bifita and anencephaly. Those are pretty severe birth defects, so I am incredibly grateful for a doctor who finally discovered this genetic mutation so that I can “fix” it. Not to mention, this is beneficial for my own health as well. This mutation causes blood clots; blood clots cause stroke, heart disease, etc. The aspirin I take should thin my blood just slightly, preventing blood clots from forming, and the other supplements will pump my body full of the B-Vitamins I have trouble absorbing, helping my body to maintain a safe and healthy pregnancy. The nurse told me if/when I become pregnant, I will have to continue taking the pills until the doctor feels it is safe for me to discontinue them. However, because I will have this blood clotting disorder forever, I will need to start the pill regimen again after the baby is born.
God is so good to us. We have waited for more than 2 years to learn what is wrong with me that prevents us from having a baby. He has been faithful to us all along the way. I really believe great blessings will be coming to us soon. Thanks be to God!