The Illness That Woke Me Up: How Norovirus Led Me to Discovering My Genetic Health
For months, something felt off. I wasn’t myself.
At first, I chalked it up to age and hormones—maybe perimenopause? But the symptoms didn’t fully resonate. I was experiencing brain fog, poor sleep, low mood, and constant fatigue—yet something told me there was more to the story.
Then, in January, I got Norovirus.🤮
It hit hard, and for days, I felt like my body was shutting down. But once the virus left my system, something unexpected happened. I felt SO good. Umm what the?!
Suddenly, I had mental clarity, more energy, and a sense of lightness that I hadn’t felt in months. It was like my body had been completely reset. That’s when I knew—I had to dig deeper. There was something happening in my body that I could no longer ignore.
The Turning Point: Looking Into My DNA
This wasn’t my first time suspecting something deeper was going on. Years ago, when I was struggling with symptoms that mimicked fibromyalgia from mold exposure in my home, I had spoken to a naturopath. He briefly looked at my genetic report, but at the time, I didn’t dive into it myself.
This time, I was ready.
I remembered that years ago, I had done an Ancestry.com DNA test, which allowed me to download my raw DNA file. I found a site where I could upload my results and analyze my genetic mutations.
That’s when the puzzle pieces started clicking into place.
The Biggest "AHA" Moment: My MTHFR & COMT Mutations
Looking at my genetic results, two things stood out immediately:
MTHFR Mutation → My body struggles with detoxification and methylation, meaning it doesn’t process folate, B12, and other key nutrients properly.
COMT Mutation → My body breaks down dopamine and estrogen more slowly, making me more prone to stress, mood swings, emotional sensitivity, and difficulty winding down after stimulation.
This was a HUGE moment of validation because it explained why I had been feeling so off for the past year and a half.
(Now I know this can seem overwhelming information, but trust me…you’re gonna want to keep reading!)
How Common Are These Mutations?
MTHFR mutations are very common—it’s estimated that 30-50% of the population has some form of it. The most well-known variations are C677T and A1298C, which affect how the body methylates folate, detoxifies, and produces neurotransmitters.
COMT mutations (like mine) are also relatively common—about 20-30% of people have a slower COMT enzyme, which affects how they process stress hormones, estrogen, and dopamine.
Symptoms of MTHFR & COMT Mutations
Once I understood these mutations, I could connect so many of my symptoms to what was actually happening in my body.
MTHFR Mutation Symptoms (When Unaddressed)
Fatigue that doesn’t go away
Brain fog and memory issues
Anxiety or mood imbalances
High homocysteine levels (linked to heart health)
Poor detoxification (sensitive to alcohol, caffeine, medications)
Estrogen dominance (heavy periods, water retention, PMS)
Issues with absorbing B vitamins (especially B12 and folate)
ADHD and neurodivergence
Since MTHFR affects methylation, it impacts everything from detoxing heavy metals to clearing out hormones—so if the body isn’t supported properly, toxins and excess hormones can build up, leading to a sluggish liver, inflammation, and energy crashes.
COMT Mutation Symptoms (When Unaddressed)
Sensitivity to stress and overstimulation
Racing thoughts or difficulty calming down after excitement
Tendency to feel wired but tired
More prone to estrogen-related issues (PMS, heavy periods, breast tenderness)
Difficulty metabolizing caffeine (jitters, anxiety, sleep issues)
Dopamine sensitivity (can feel very motivated OR very stuck)
People with COMT mutations tend to hold onto stress hormones longer, making them more emotionally intense, deeply creative, and highly sensitive to their environments.
Why This Was a Wake-Up Call for Me
For the past year and a half, I had been taking minimal supplements, thinking I was “testing out” how my body would feel without them. Prior to that, I had been on a parasite and mold detox protocol to clear out my system from the mold exposure in my home, and I had been feeling much better at the time.
But once I stopped taking the B vitamins, liver support, and detox support supplements, I gradually started feeling worse and worse—brain fog, low mood, low energy. I had assumed it was just stress, but in reality, my body was struggling to function optimally without proper methylation support.
The Norovirus was the final straw—once everything was detoxed out of my system, I got a glimpse of how good I could feel again. That’s when I knew I needed to rebuild my supplement routine based on my genetic needs.
The Strengths of Having These Mutations
Now if you’re prone to anxious rabbit holes I wouldn’t suggest going down the genetic route because it can feel scary to read, and at the same time doesn’t mean anything is wrong or for sure going to happen to you! So instead o focusing on just the challenges, I decided to also look at the huge upside to both MTHFR and COMT when they’re well-supported:
🌟 Heightened Intuition & Sensitivity – People with COMT mutations tend to process emotions and experiences more deeply, making them incredible healers, coaches, artists, and visionaries. They are often highly intuitive and tuned into subtle energies. (I mean- hello empath! Even my Human Design shows this)
🌟 Naturally Motivated & Passionate – Because COMT affects dopamine metabolism, people with this mutation tend to be driven, innovative, and capable of deep focus—especially when they’re passionate about something. (I also have the 9-52 channel in Human Design of Focus, and when I am lit up, I am unstoppable!)
🌟 Unique Ability to See Patterns – MTHFR mutations are often found in people who are big-picture thinkers, able to see connections others miss—a huge strength for leadership, coaching, and creating innovative solutions. (Quite literally my superpower and also what probably makes me resonate with feeling neuro-spicy!)
🌟 Deeper Body Awareness – When these mutations are well-supported, people with them often become highly attuned to what their bodies need, making them leaders in the wellness space. (It’s no wonder I always help women get back into their bodies!)
This reframed how I viewed my health—instead of seeing my genetic makeup as a challenge, I started seeing it as a roadmap for how to work with my body instead of against it.
Rebuilding My Health: What’s Changed Since Discovering My Genetics
Since discovering how much MTHFR and COMT impact my energy, mood, and detox pathways, I’ve made some key changes:
✅ Reintroduced essential B vitamins (specifically methylated B12 and folate) to support energy and neurotransmitter function
✅ Brought back liver support (DIM-Plus, NAC, and digestive enzymes) to help with detoxification and estrogen metabolism
✅ Increased magnesium intake to support my nervous system and help with sleep and stress regulation
✅ Added targeted methylation support (molybdenum and glutathione) to assist my detox pathways and reduce sensitivity to environmental toxins
✅ Prioritized protein-rich, whole foods to help stabilize blood sugar and sustain energy levels
These changes have made a huge difference—I now have more stable energy, improved digestion, and clearer thinking. Most importantly, I’ve learned to have patience with my body instead of pushing through symptoms or blaming myself for feeling "off."
A Word of Caution: Folic Acid Supplementation and MTHFR Mutations (Since this is pushed onto many women)
If you're considering pregnancy and are taking folic acid supplements but feel worse, it's possible you have an MTHFR mutation. Here's why this matters:
Folic Acid vs. Folate:
Folic Acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9, commonly found in supplements and fortified foods.
Folate is the natural form, present in leafy greens, citrus fruits, and beans.
Individuals with MTHFR mutations may struggle to convert folic acid into its active form, leading to unmetabolized folic acid accumulating in the body. This can interfere with natural folate absorption and potentially cause health issues, including immune dysfunction and fetal complications.
Recommendations:
Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Before starting any supplement regimen, discuss your MTHFR status with a healthcare professional.
Consider Methylated Folate Supplements: These are the active forms of folate and may be better utilized by those with MTHFR mutations.
Genetic Testing: Ensuring Privacy and Accuracy
If you're considering genetic testing to understand your MTHFR status or other health-related genetic factors, it's crucial to choose services that prioritize your privacy and provide accurate results.
Recommended Genetic Testing Services:
23andMe
AncestryDNA
Nebula Genomics
TheDNACompany.com
Tips for Choosing a Genetic Testing Service:
Read Privacy Policies Carefully: Understand how your data will be used, stored, and shared.
Check for Data Encryption: Ensure the company uses robust security measures to protect your information.
Consider Data Deletion Policies: Know how to delete your data if you choose to do so in the future.
Final Thoughts: Owning My Health & Listening to My Body
Discovering my MTHFR and COMT mutations was a huge turning point in my health journey. It explained so much—why I had been struggling, why certain supplements helped (or didn’t), and most importantly, how to truly support my body instead of pushing through symptoms. It feels like I hit an awareness of the root cause rather than just throwing spaghetti at the wall hoping it would stick.
Now, instead of feeling like I have to "keep up" or "push harder," I honor my body's natural rhythm. I support my detox pathways, nourish myself with the right supplements, and work with my genetic makeup instead of against it.
If you’ve been feeling off, exhausted, or like your health tools "should" be working but aren’t, I encourage you to:
🔹 Look deeper—your body is giving you signals.
🔹 Consider getting genetic testing or working with a practitioner who understands methylation and detox pathways.
🔹 Trust that your symptoms are real, and they are solvable.
Your body is always speaking to you. If you want some 1:1 holistic support, the physical is ALWAYS something I speak to with the women I work with. Having gone through many different health concerns throughout my life and previously working in a natural health clinic, I have many resources to point you in the right direction based on your needs. In addition, I’m here to help your nervous system process all that can arise when reconnecting to your body.
Are you ready to listen to your body?
