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- Feb 8, 2004
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Deplin is often times given by psychiatrists to those who are depressed. I think, and still think, it's just them throwing expensive folic acid. (Well something close to folic acid).
But today for the first time ever I had my first real case where L-methylfolate really might have saved the day. Pt had treatment resistant depression since her childhood and she's been on over 10 antidepressants with no benefit. An mTHFR gene test showed she had two mutations on that gene with none of them being the normal gene. One gene with one mutation, the other with a different type of mutation but both mutations decrease l-methylfolate production in the brain.
Pt got better in just a few days of the l-methyfolate treatment. I say this is my first "real" one cause this is the first one where she fit a profile of what could've been the deficiency, showed (+) results on the genetic testing, and the supplement appeared to have a good effect.
I still do not advocate that we doctors give out Deplin liberally. It's expensive and likely not needed but I am saying that for now on anyone treatment resistant, depressed since being a minor without any apparent cause, I will likely order an mTHFR gene test and if (+) order L-methylfolate.
But today for the first time ever I had my first real case where L-methylfolate really might have saved the day. Pt had treatment resistant depression since her childhood and she's been on over 10 antidepressants with no benefit. An mTHFR gene test showed she had two mutations on that gene with none of them being the normal gene. One gene with one mutation, the other with a different type of mutation but both mutations decrease l-methylfolate production in the brain.
Pt got better in just a few days of the l-methyfolate treatment. I say this is my first "real" one cause this is the first one where she fit a profile of what could've been the deficiency, showed (+) results on the genetic testing, and the supplement appeared to have a good effect.
I still do not advocate that we doctors give out Deplin liberally. It's expensive and likely not needed but I am saying that for now on anyone treatment resistant, depressed since being a minor without any apparent cause, I will likely order an mTHFR gene test and if (+) order L-methylfolate.