Toe nails?

[wiserlady]

Is there a connection between liver problems and toe nails? My large toe nails have stopped growing, not grown at all for six months, they are also very brittle/ thick and yellow. Have been told I have a slight fatty liver - not due to food, I eat a very good diet and have lost 3 stone in two years.

[AyrshireK]

That sounds more like a fungal infection of your toe nail. However, you can get changes to nails due to mineral deficiencies so if you are concerned you should run it by your doctor.

Katie

[wiserlady in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi there, my diet is very good so I would find it hard to believe it is connected, and it is only the two large toe nails, the rest and fingers are fine. I have read here and there toe nails can be a sign of liver (or kidney disease). My liver is slightly fatty due to various medications. How are you today?

[AyrshireK in reply to wiserlady]

Finger/toe nail changes in liver disease are generally to do with mineral deficiencies caused by having a damaged liver - as I said before - a damaged liver sometimes can't absorb them from foods no matter how good a diet is. Circulation issues can also cause nail bed changes. Blood tests can rule this in or out. Only a doctor could really tell you what is going on with your nails.

Katie

[wiserlady in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you very much. I understand what you are saying. I was told in december my liver was fine - according to blood tests. And my toe nails have been brittle and yellow and thick for years. But then I noticed they had not grown for ages - this may have been the same before but maybe just not noticed it then. I had a scan done a month ago which said my kidneys are fine and a bit of fatty liver. cannot see how it is circulation problems when eight of the toenails and all of the fingers are fine. And I like to think if it were liver problems it woudlnt be just two toe nails either. Thank you again.

[AyrshireK in reply to wiserlady]

It's probably a fungal nail infection.

[wiserlady in reply to AyrshireK]

I think so, but wanted to ask about it in case it was just wishful thinking. Many thanks for your input and time.