Fingernail Issues

[coffeetime]

I've had nail issues for at least ten years or more--very noticeable longitudinal ridges,uneven growth and thickness, peeling. My diet has been gluten-free for over a year now and I take a lot of gluten-free vitamins and for the last two months I have been on Levothyroxin. For years I was told by doctors that my nail issues were probably genetic (although I know of no one in my family with these kind of issues). After I was diagnosed my doctor told me it was most like malnutrition. Currently my nails are so short yet that doesn't keep them from splitting. Has anyone had this type of issue and what if anything did you do to help?

[GFinDC]

I have ridges lengthwise on my fingernails. I haven't found anything to "help" them. There are a couple of long thread about fingernails issues on the board. If you look them up will find lots of info/theories.

[mommida]

My nails have been terrible before diagnoses. Starting getting better gluten free. I started taking Biotin and they have really starting growing and I have been feeling much better, even my thyroid exam went better. The natural food source for Biotin would be from eating liver. I don't eat liver and don't think I ever will. There is no evidence that you can have harmfull levels of Biotin.

Sublingual vitamin B12 would probably help too.

[Simona19]

I read somewhere that it's related to low levels of iron, or iron deficiency. I don't know if that is true, but I was iron deficient and had ridgis on my nails. I took for month an iron suplement (prescription strenght) with the Nature Made multivitamin with iron. I'm still taking the multivitamin. I don't know what helped more, but my nails are much, much better. I have just few ridgis on them. They are much stronger and longer. They won't break so easily.

[burdee]

I've had nail issues for at least ten years or more--very noticeable longitudinal ridges,uneven growth and thickness, peeling. My diet has been gluten-free for over a year now and I take a lot of gluten-free vitamins and for the last two months I have been on Levothyroxin. For years I was told by doctors that my nail issues were probably genetic (although I know of no one in my family with these kind of issues). After I was diagnosed my doctor told me it was most like malnutrition. Currently my nails are so short yet that doesn't keep them from splitting. Has anyone had this type of issue and what if anything did you do to help?

Yes, I had the same nail symptoms (soft, vertical ridges, frequent splitting and tearing) for years before I was diagnosed with hypochloridia (low stomach acid production). Because my stomach didn't produce enough acid to effectively digest proteins, I didn't get enough protein for my nails. I was prescribed betaine hydrochloride supplements to improve my digestion. Slowly (VERY slowly) my nails have improved.

Most docs use the 'genetic' excuse, when they really don't know what causes your problems. Also most docs are influenced by Big Pharma's multibillion dollar antiacid/acid blocker drug campaign. So your doc may never consider that you don't adequately digest protein, because you have low stomach acid.

[coffeetime]

Thanks for all the replies, the B-12 I use and although I hate to add another vitamin I'll give Biotin a try. You would think that if our diet got better overall they would become "normal"

[eatmeat4good]

My nails improved so dramatically on going gluten free that I decided to google the nail ridges problem. The main problem I had was weak, brittle and thin nails with horizontal ridges.

As I recall, the horizontal ridges were an indication of protein deficiency. The vertical ridges were associated with vitamin deficiencies.

My nails are normal now for the first time at 47.

Maybe I'm absorbing vitamins and protein better?