breaking fingernails.

[Elizabeth M Blair]

The celiac ride has not been smooth for me.  I was diagnosed last July by endscopy and continue to have some problems that I thought would go away. But my fingernails are a new problem. They began breaking in the past month or so - what might I not be getting enough of? My GI specialist prescribed a senior vitamin for women, calcium with magnesium and zinc, B complex with Vitamin C, and D3. I have been taking all of these since last July. She also suggested that I avoid lactose for the first year and recommended that I drink lactose free Whole milk, as I am very under-weight.  I have been eliminating some foods.  Cheese is the most recent food I've stopped eating because of constipation problems and that is slowly improving.  I'm keeping a food journal so that I can track any changes when I eliminate a food, or bring it back again.  Any suggestions on the "breaking fingernails" problem.  During the past month, they have been breaking when I so much as open a door or brush by something. Thanks to this forum, much else has improved.  I have gained badly needed weight, the mild ataxia is gone, and I'm eating mostly unprocessed foods. I feel full of energy. But does seem like every time I turn around there is another additive (which might not be on the label) that I have to watch out for.  Would appreciate your insights on the nail-breaking problem. 

[Scott Adams]

I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've been facing with celiac disease, but it's great to hear that you've experienced some improvements and are taking proactive steps to manage your health. Fingernail issues can sometimes indicate deficiencies in certain nutrients, despite taking supplements. Since you're already on a regimen that includes vitamins and minerals, it might be worth discussing with your healthcare provider if there are any additional tests or adjustments to your diet or supplements that could help address the nail-breaking problem. Keeping a food journal is a smart approach, and it may provide valuable insights into any patterns or triggers related to your symptoms. 

Collagen is known for its benefits in promoting skin, hair, and nail health, so it's possible that incorporating collagen supplements or collagen-rich foods into your diet could help improve your fingernail strength and reduce breakage. 

[pplewis3d]

Elizabeth,

I am very sorry that you have this new symptom.
My nails weren’t breaking but they were cracking lengthwise for about 3 years. I had tried many things but to no avail. Then my sister came to visit from out of state and left her Spectrum Essentials Organic Ground Premium Flaxseed in my refrigerator. It is certified gluten free. I started putting it in my certified gluten-free oatmeal, on dairy free/ gluten-free yogurt, and in smoothies just because I didn’t want it to go to waste. Surprisingly within  a month my splitting nails were so much better. It may not work for you but it is the only thing that helped my splitting nails.  Like you, this website was invaluable in getting me through the first few years of being diagnosed with celiac disease/dermatitis herpetiformis. It is a steep learning curve! I am still learning after ten years on this path. Good luck to you!

 

 

[Elizabeth M Blair]

 Dear pplewis3d,

Thanks much for your answer.  I already use golden flax seeds daily in my morning cereal and buy gluten-free bread that includes them and other seeds as well (Northern Bakehouse).  My nails also have demonstrated the vertical cracks, even before I learned I had Celiac.  My friends, none of whom have Celiac, are always citing someone they know who finding the diet effortless and dismiss any comments I make about how challenging it is to get it right!  Thank goodness I can go to this site and find others who know how challenging this diet can be. I have a lot of allergies to both food and other items in the environment (including animal hair, dust, smoke etc.), which makes matters even more challenging.  I am keeping tracks of what I eat and noting the symptoms as my GI suggested.  I read online  yesterday that cracking and splitting fingernails is common as one ages (I'm 76).  I'm glad that the flax seeds worked for you! I read online yesterday that consuming more collagen can help with the nails and that leaving the skin on the salmon when roasting it gives one quite a bit of it.  Thanks again. 

[pplewis3d]

Hi Elizabeth,

Yes, the social issues of Celiac Disease, especially at our age ( I am 74) makes the agony even more pronounced. I live in a FL retirement community and almost every gathering is about food. When it is pot luck at the clubhouse, people so kindly prepare something gluten-free so I can eat some of it. In the beginning, people couldn’t understand about cross contamination and would get their feelings hurt. I just stopped going to food-centric gatherings unless it is at a restaurant that I can trust. I rarely eat out. I also am sensitive/allergic to many other things. My Celiac Disease is the skin manifestation-Dermatitis Herpetiformis- dermatitis herpetiformis. The only good thing about that is there is no doubt when you get glutened. There is no thinking maybe it is something else because my outside left thigh starts tingling and gets sensitive very quickly. It sounds like you have a good doctor. My doctor told me that she had no classes in celiac disease in medical school but she was willing to learn. And she is very open to what I have learned. If you were nearby, I would meet with you and tell you all the things I have learned over 10 years. I am still learning. I never thought about salmon skin being a source of collagen! Thanks for that bit of information. I have been eating a Dove Dark Chocolate every day for longer than ten years and was so happy that it came up gluten-free on my gluten-free scanner app. However, I have been on a search to figure out why I am still getting dermatitis herpetiformis outbreaks. It is not possible to be any more strict with the diet than I am. Recently, I started researching Dove Dark chocolates and I got a response from the company saying they do not claim to be gluten-free. My scanner has the  big green check but also the disclaimer about no info on ingredients and cross-contamination. In the last 6 months, I have tried to use only Certified gluten-free products when processed can’t be avoided. Other that, I eat mostly whole foods. 
I know how you are struggling and I am willing to help you all I can. I had heard that the ridges in older fingernails were like wrinkles😝. Nothing is exempt from this aging process! The splitting was another matter! Good luck to you!~Pam

 

 

[Elizabeth M Blair]

Pam, I identified with so much of what you said and appreciate your detailed response. I miss eating at restaurants - can't find many I'm sure about, as many people (and businesses) don't get that you can't have foods with gluten anywhere near gluten free food.  Like you, I'm doing most of my own cooking instead of buying processed gluten-free foods but have not yet attempted gluten-free bread; I fear it will be difficult to get it right.  I'm concerned that many foods marked gluten-free add sugar when it's not necessary and contain very little fiber or protein. Maybe some of those things contribute to the nail problem. It looked at my nails again after reading the above post. Actually I don't have splitting nails.  What I have is ridges in them, which are fairly new.  One other thing I will try to get my thyroid tested again. According to one site, breaking nails could be due to a thyroid problem.  It's all so complicated!  My other problems are GI issues so it could be so much worse. Gas, indigestion and constipation, which may be due to one or more of my many food allergies. I can't eliminate everything!  I did make a sheet pan with salmon, fennel, peppers, herbs, potatoes, onions, etc.  And left the skin on.  Yum.  But of course broke yet another nail yesterday.   I appreciate you sharing your experience.  I avoid gatherings too due to the food problem and some people seem insulted if you come but bring your own food.

Thanks again.  I hope we can stay in touch as we have some similar issues.  Elizabeth

 

 

[marnie51]

Have you been tested for thyroid disease?  A year after my diagnosis of Celiac, I tested as also having hypothyroidism.  As so many people state here and elsewhere, if you have one autoimmune disease, you are likely to have one or more of other AI diseases. 

I have been on .75mcg of Levothyroxine for over 20 years and that dosage has gone up and down over the years when I show symptoms of Hashimoto Thyroiditis  When the hormone levels drop, I start losing my hair and my nails become very brittle -- tearing, chipping or splitting. When this happens, levothyroxine level is increased. It is important to have thyroid levels checked about every 6 months and possibly more often in early stage of treatment.