Disappearing lunula on nails

[borahae]

Hi, I just recently discovered that the lunulas (white moons) on my nails have disappeared. Instead the base of my nails is purple-bluish. Has anyone experienced this? is it thyroid related and how do I get them back?

[Karenk13]

Do you suffer from Diabetes as that can be a common side affect of it? I know ridges in the nails are common with Hypothyroid but not so much colour changes or dissapearance of the half moon part

[borahae in reply to Karenk13]

nope, im not diabetic

[Karenk13 in reply to borahae]

I'd definitely get it checked by Doc any colour changes to your nail bed are usually a symptom of something so best to get it looked at.

[Hennerton]

My thyroid was removed in 2006 and my half moons have slowly disappeared, apart from on both thumbs. Frankly with all the other niggles of having no thyroid, if is the least of my problems!

[Hidden]

Mine have disappeared as well plus they are ridged and a bit purple bluish. But my thyroid results keep coming back normal.

[borahae in reply to Hidden]

how long have your nails been like that?

[Hidden in reply to borahae]

Going on for a few years now.

[borahae in reply to Hidden]

have you seen a doctor for it? I’m kind of concerned bc I only just noticed it, and idk whats wrong.

[Hidden in reply to borahae]

To be honest havent really thought about it. If you do, let me know what the Doc says?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Nails are considered a barometer of your overall health. It was my flakey peeling nails lead me back to my GP when I was incorrectly told I had no thyroid issue. Sometimes there’s no health cause for this. Have you had blood pressure / thyroid / b12 checked recently? Sometimes medication might be the culprit. Any other symptoms?

[borahae in reply to PurpleNails]

i have hypothyroidism, but i was taken off my prescription. im taking another blood test this week tho. my blood pressure has been fine and idk about b12. as for symptoms, i have a lot bc of my anxiety. so im not sure ;;;

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.

So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Anxiety is common hypothyroid symptom

Loss of half moons on nails can be linked

hypothyroidmom.com/do-you-h...

[Widawake]

The lunula is still there. It's just not visible due to the change in colour under the nail plate. Sounds like a circulation issue, maybe ask your doctor as changes in the nails can indicate a number of other health problems. Nails were my job for 20 years, hope it helps

[Auntyp62]

Mine have been like that for about 30 years, but are very strong as long as my vitamin d is good

[borahae in reply to Auntyp62]

have you asked doctors about why its like that?

[Auntyp62]

Gp disregarded it in fact he laughed. However I used to teach manicuring at college and it is very common. Internet research advised all sorts of supplements which I have taken but nothing makes a difference.

[Shedz in reply to Auntyp62]

They were purple/blue at the base?

[healthandlifestyle]

Hello Borahae,

Diminishing lunulas may indicate either a B12 deficiency and/or iodine deficiency. Both deficiencies overtime will lead to thyroid problems if untreated.

The best advice I can give you is to find both B12 and iodine that are natural and integrate them into your daily eating.

A high quality nutritional yeast will supply you with enough B12, just as an unrefined sea salt with iodine, will.

Food is medicine and medicine is our food.

[healthandlifestyle]

draxe.com/nutrition/vitamin...

[Fam90]

Same with me. I had a rash after visiting india, then noticed my lunula disappearing. I became sick after this with a sinus infection and typical viral symptoms.. I have been tested for so many things full sexual health screen, diabetes, everything I or doctor can imagine but just can’t seem to find what it is. The worst bit was post viral symptoms leaving a sinus infection. Now I have had a headache almost a year and my nails show vertical lines. I only have 2 lunulas on my thumbs but they have reduced in size. Anyone know what’s going on with me?