Proactive Considerations
LHON and Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Some research indicates that some individuals with an LHON mutation may be more likely to have low B12 than the general population. It may be worthwhile to discuss with your health care provider to have a simple blood test to determine if your level is out of range, and to discuss potential treatment options to get in range.
LHON and Estrogen
Research suggests that estrogen may protect women who carry an LHON mutation. Estrogen might be linked to differences in how males and females are exposed to certain hormones and these hormone differences can affect the conversion rate from sighted to visually impaired. The findings also hint at the possibility of using substances such as estrogen as a potential preventative measure for LHON. Women who carry an LHON mutation, affected and unaffected, may wish to share the linked article with their health care providers and discuss its implications for them.
