abnormal nails

I've noticed lately my fingernails are normal on one side but it's like they are cut way back on the other side. They just don't seem to grow anymore. They look terrible and I'm not sure what to do about them. Could I be deficient in my vitamins maybe. I take all that have been recommended from the beginning. I had RNY surgery Dec. 2009 and all my blood work ups have been fine. I'm due my yearly blood tests next month. But I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this problem.

thanks for your time,

Sheryl

How well do you read your own lab results?  I started asking for my own copies so I could compare one test to the next, and while my nurse said my labs were "fine", what she didn't do was compare from the last workup and see that I was experiencing some significant downward trends.  Here's what I've found concerning nails, though.

Nail shapes: Nails that tend to curl under at the tips can signify respiratory or heart problems, while nails that are raised at the base can also signal respiratory trouble. Square, wide nails can be a result of a hormonal disorder while flat, thin nails can be from insufficient vitamin B12.

The texture of fingernails can tell as much about a persons general health as the color can. Below are some common texture abnormalities and what they can possibly indicate.

Nail textures: Vertical ridges that appear on the nail can indicate disorders as simple as iron deficiency, poor absorption of vitamins and nutrients, overall poor health or they could indicate something as serious as kidney trouble. (So, you see why consulting your physician is so important.) These vertical ridges, as well as bumpy nails, can also suggest that one is prone to developing arthritis. Ridges running horizontally across the nail can indicate physical or mental stress.

Nutrition plays an extremely important role in every function of our bodies, right down to the tips of our fingers and toes, literally. As well as signs of other possible disorders, nails can let us know how we add up when it comes to getting all of our required nutrients.

Since nails are mainly made up of protein, they can immediately alert us to a lack of it in our diet. White lined bands across the nail beds can signal a protein dificiency. You can get protein from beans, oats, seeds, nuts, eggs and lean meats.

Calcium is also important for healthy nails. Without it, the nails lose their strength and become brittle and dry. You can find calcium in green leafy vegetables, dairy products, sesame seeds or even a daily supplement.

As mentioned before, ridges in the nails can be a result of vitamin deficiency, one of which is the B vitamins. Vitamin B is needed for strengthening, while vitamin B12 also strengthens while promoting normal nail growth and healthy coloring.

Vitamin C is another necessary vitamin. Adequate intake can help prevent hang nails and swelling of nail tissue, and a frequent occurance of either of these symptoms is a good indication of a deficiency.

Probably the most common sight on the nails is the "white spot". Although it has been noted that white lines can be symptoms of a serious disorder, their presence is more than likely a result of iron or zinc deficiency. Before worrying about any severe disease, your first step should be to see your doctor and have him/her test your levels of iron and zinc. Zinc supplements are easily found in any pharmacy while additional iron intake needs to be monitored by your physician.

Something else that ridges/thin nails can indicate is a problem with your thyroid.

Even after going on synthroid, I was still having problems so my PCP added the entire thyroid panel (whi*****ludes T3 not just T4) and sure enough, I had to add cytomel to the mix. (This was long before WLS).

But to find out, you still need to see your doctor.

Liz

thank you very much for your response. I'm making an early appointment Monday morning for my blood work. Sounds like I had better be a little more careful of the signs my body gives me. Just because I take all my vitamins doesn't mean my body is acting correctly. I guess I simply needed a kick in the behind to make me move. You did that and I thank you.

best,

Sheryl

I have had a problem absorbing b-12 for years even before my DS surgery.  I have had the verticle ridges in my nails for as long as I had the b-12 deficiency problem.  I never new why the ridges were there, and I cant seem to get rid of them.  I get an injection once a month for b-12, but I never get far away from low end of the exceptable levels. Maybe I will ask to get more than one injection a month, that might help.  Good to know why finally.  thanks for info

gosh everyone thanks for the responses - I am definitely printing this out and taking the info with me to my pcp next week. I want her to see what is happening so she will dig deep and hopefully find out my problem. I'll let you know what happens.

best,

Sheryl