Originally Posted by mrsD

The active form of folate is Metafolin, by Solgar OTC. It is called methylfolate. Folic acid is not active, and there is some concern that it may compete with methylfolate at the blood brain barrier.

This is not definitive yet, but some complex research papers are now suggesting to not use folic acid, but to use the methyl form for this reason. It is not common to be low in folic acid testing.
Our foods are highly fortified today in the US with it.

People with genetic errors in methylating inactive forms of the B12 and folic acid, develop elevated homocysteine. The blood tests for both in serum do not separate out the inactive and active forms. So it is best to take the activated forms since you are paying money already. Best to pay the same $$ and get the most useful. When you have a neurological problem, that suggests a problem metabolically as well. The doctors just haven't caught up with that concept yet.

methylcobalamin == active B12
methylFolate== active folic acid (called MetaFolin).

Originally Posted by groucho

Thanks mrsD. I'll keep that in mind, I but will use up what I've already paid for, in the meantime. LOL. The levels will all be checked again later this year.

In your earlier post, you mentioned that you had worse pain before than you do now. Since you also mentioned diabetes, I'm guessing you reduced your pain thru diet?

Originally Posted by mrsD

My worst pain was over 30 yrs ago... mostly feet, and then hands joined in during my pregnancy. It was because of hypothyroidism.

Now I have some insulin resistant issues (not diabetic yet), so I do control carbs and avoid sugar which helps. I have some spurs in my feet, cracked sesamoid bones, a left foot surgical scar which complicates that foot somewhat from an old tumor removal, and I have to avoid nightshade veggies, which I discovered cause burning for me.

But I haven't had the terrible pain, I had 30 years' back, even with my other foot issues. Back then it was CONSIDERABLE.

So my feet have taken a beating over the years, and now I consider myself lucky to be where I am now, pain wise. I have done hundreds of hours of research on the net over the last decade and I share my experience here and what I have learned as well.