Anxiety, Exhaustion, and the Role of MTHFR
You’re eating the right foods. You’re taking the supplements. You’ve even started going to bed earlier. But still don’t feel your best.
This is something I hear often from women in my practice.
They feel anxious even when nothing seems wrong.
They wake up tired no matter how early they go to bed.
They’ve tried medication, vitamins, cutting things out, adding things in and still don’t feel like themselves.
Sometimes, this pattern isn’t about doing more. It’s about how the body processes what it’s already being given.
And that brings us to a concept called methylation.
What is methylation and why does it matter?
Methylation is a key biochemical process that happens in every cell of the body. It helps your body:
• make and break down neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine
• detoxify hormones and environmental toxins
• regulate gene expression
• maintain energy production
• process histamine and inflammation
If methylation is working well, your body tends to feel more balanced. If it’s sluggish or disrupted, you might feel anxious, tired, moody, or mentally foggy, even if your labs look normal.
Several genes play a role in methylation. One of the most well-known is MTHFR.
What happens when MTHFR isn’t functioning well?
MTHFR helps convert folate into its active form, which is essential for producing neurotransmitters. If your MTHFR gene isn’t working efficiently, your brain may not be getting the support it needs to regulate stress and mood.
Symptoms that might suggest a methylation issue include:
• anxiety that doesn’t improve with typical treatment
• sensitivity to supplements or medications
• brain fog, poor memory, or trouble focusing
• persistent fatigue, even with rest
• mood swings or irritability
• skin that overreacts to insect bites or allergens
• strong reactions to smells, chemicals, or even stress
In other words, you might be doing everything right, but your body might not be using those inputs effectively.
Let’s take a look at another gene: COMT
One woman I worked with said she felt like her system was always on high alert. Loud noises startled her. Caffeine made her anxious. She couldn’t wind down at night and felt overwhelmed by things that used to feel simple.
Her COMT gene, which helps clear out stress hormones and break down certain neurotransmitters, was working slowly. That meant stress and stimulation lingered longer in her system.
Once we understood this, we made gentle adjustments like supporting her nervous system with targeted minerals, reducing environmental overstimulation, and adjusting how she used supplements.
With steady and targeted adjustments, she was able to feel like she had control over her emotions and sleep improved again. Her body just needed a little more support in how it processed everything.
The value of genetic insight
So, how do we determine how well you are methylating? Genetic tests like the MTHFR Methylation Gene Test from EmpowerDX can help identify where your body may need extra support. This particular test looks at several SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) that can influence how you:
• process folate and B12
• break down histamine
• detoxify hormones
• regulate mood and mental clarity
• respond to supplements and environmental triggers
This kind of insight can explain why something that works for one person may not work for you and give you a clearer picture of what your body actually needs.
It is not about labeling or limiting. It is about understanding. And from there, making more informed choices.
If you’ve ever said, “I just don’t feel like myself, and nothing seems to help,” this might be a helpful step toward clarity.
You can learn more about the test here: MTHFR Methylation Gene Test
(This is an affiliate link, which means I may receive a small commission if you use it. I only share tools I trust and use with my own clients.)
You don’t have to guess. You can start to understand how your body works and how to support it in a way that actually makes sense for you.
If you order the test and want help understanding your results, I’d be honored to walk through them with you during a consultation. We’ll talk about what’s going on, how it’s affecting you, and what steps can make the biggest difference.
