Chipped nails, vitamin deficiency?

I have noticed that in the 11 months since surgery that my nails chip and break alot more than they did. I am wondering if I may have some type of vitamin deficiency. I take multi-vitamins, iron, calcium, B12 and Vitamin C. I eat 80-100 g of protein a day and drink at least 100 oz of fluids a day. Two weeks ago I had bloodwork done and my ferratin was 67, my B12 was high, and everything else showed normal.

Any ideas?

Brittle nails are a symptom of malnutrition. RNY is a malabsorptive procedure so it makes sense that we might have brittle hair and nails.

The body requires the following vital vitamins for nails; otherwise it could lead to brittle nails:

• Vitamin A deficiency: No half-moons or ridged nails, brittle, peeling or splitting nails
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency: Nails curve down past your fingertips, flat nails, dark, spoon shaped nails
• Vitamin C deficiency: Fraying, pitted, split nails, frequent occurrence of hang nails
• Vitamin D deficiency: Brittle, peeling or cracking nails

Lack of zinc, iron, protein, and calcium could also result in weak and brittle nails.

RNY surgery affects the production of acid in our systems and interrupts the normal digestive process, and thin, weak, peeling, nails may indicate a deficiency of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which in turn has an effect on digestion and malnutrition Are you taking a PPI? This might cause the problem.

Did they check you for Zinc? Zinc, Iron, and Vitamin C are essential for strong hair and nails.

Thanks for the info. I'm a bit curious though because I'm not on a PPI, I take extra Iron and Vitamin C and 1500 of Calcium plus I though that 80-100 g of protein was enough. They didn't check my Zinc, though so I don't know if that may be low. Hmmm. I do take a double multi-vitamin, but can definitely add more Zinc in.

THANK YOU so much Rocky for posting this! I have the exact same problem as the OP (Janet).

I looked at my nails after you wrote this and I only have "half moons" on my thumbs but not on my fingers. I don't take a PPI and I have zero acid issues. I eat very high protein (100-120 a day) and use the Calcium patch and take extra dry D3 daily.

My finger nails are a mess and the hang nails drives me mental. Also my toe nails are just horrendous. I always blamed my bad toe nails on the fact that I run in running shoes a lot. But I have zero explanation for my bad finger nails.

ETA: Its weird though because my hair is excellent. I just went to the salon last week on the 20th and my hairdresser who knows I had RNY done was saying how great my hair is, its so much thicker now and healthy/shiny. Yet my nails are a mess. Humph!

I am going to get a full blood panel done in two weeks and see where my zinc/iron/vit C are.

Thanks again, this is very helpful!

My nails chip and get bad when I don't keep them moisturized. Hand soap in public restrooms is especially drying.

Oh so much yes! I work at a hospital and I am washing my hands in the "industrial" hospital soap at least 9582 times a day!!!

SO DRY! And I have tried every type/kind/brand/make of moisturizer, none really work, UGH #firstworldproblems

I slop cuticle oil on my nails, then goop them up with really heavy hand cream before bed. It doesn't take care of it completely but helps some.

You might also want to have your thyroid checked out... dry brittle nails, hair loss, lack of energy, dry skin are also symptoms of hypothyroidism (of course, they are symptoms of other things too, but for me, those were definitely big signs)

My nails have been fine through the RNY for the most part... they are drier than usual right now, but I attribute that to the Winter. I blame lots of things on Winter

My PCP tests my thyroid several times a year and the numbers are always good. hmmm

I am seeing my PCP on Feb 7th I am going to get her to check my thyroid just in case, thx for the suggestion.

And I agree my nails are worse in this cold Winter but year round they pretty much suck