Flaky thumb nails

[Greml1n]

Hi,

Maybe this question has been asked before, although I can't find it.

Does anyone have flaky nails SINCE starting Levothyroxin? (OK before)

I know experts believe it is a symptom of low thyroid, but my thyroid results have been odd for a number of years without me having flaky thumb nails. I have been on Levothyroxin for 4 months now and my thumb nails are very flaky and weak. My mother and my neighbour have both been on Levothyroxin for several decades and both suffer the same.

Does anyone else believe their nails are flaky as a result of Levothyroxin, please?

[DippyDame]

My nails were peeling and separating from the nail beds and only started to recover when I added T3.

Do you have recent test results, including ranges, that you can post?

It sounds as if you are undermedicated and need more levo which, if your conversion is good, will convert to T3

If your conversion is poor you may benefit from the addition of T3.

Test results should provide the answer, with them, members will be able to advise.

This might be of interest...my nails are now recovering!

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking and what are your most recent results ?

Low vitamins are extremely common and need testing too, especially as you presumably have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's, as this frequently runs in families

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies if not been tested

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

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...

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

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

Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

[foxglove in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry to chip in but meant to thank you for giving the link. Definitely a good option for tests!

[McPammy]

My toe nails were peeling and separating. Never seen them in such a state. I found out I had B12 and ferritin deficiency’s. I also have a T4 to T3 conversion disorder. DIO2 gene positive.

I now have 3 monthly B12 injections and ferris fumerate.

As soon as my vitamins were back optimal my nails were normal again. Then eventually I was prescribed T3 medication which helped my body in so many ways.

[MichelleHarris]

Both my big toe nails came off first right foot then two months later the left, when I was diagnosed. I dont know it was a symptom of hypothyroidism. They both grew back starting on the Levothyroxine before I started taking vitamins x

[Greml1n]

Hi, Thank you for all the replies.

My thyroid results have been all over the place for at least 5 years, but following tests in August I was put on 25micrograms. My results on

14/8/19 were TSH =21.42 mU/L, FT 4 = 9.1 pool/L, Folate 11.9 ug/L ( should be over 3), Ferritin 74 ug/L ( range 15 - 300)

23/8/19 = TSH = 27.63, FT4= 8.6, Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies = 6U/mL, FT3= 3.5pmol/l

21/10/19 = TSH = 6.84mU/L, FT3 = 4.1, FT4 not tested, Antibodies = 6

I started a higher dose (50micrograms) on 6th November