Toenail Problem

[Fluffysheep]

Has anyone suffered with problems with their nails as a result of thyroid disease? Mine started going funny a couple of months ago. I've read that hypothyroidism can cause brittle nails or splitting from the nail bed, which is what seems to be happening to mine. Just wondered if anyone else had had this? Any tips? The thought of my nail coming off makes me cringe a bit!

[Cooper27]

Thyroid disease can affect the nails, making them quite brittle, so first thing is whether your dose is right?

Oddly, I found gluten really affected my nails - I reintroduced it for a few weeks to be tested for coeliac disease, then had to stop that because lockdown stopped coeliac testing. You could honestly see a line across each nail showing the regrowth since I'd cut it out again.

Also rule out fungal nail infections and general nutrient deficiencies.

[Fluffysheep in reply to Cooper27]

That's strange! I've been gluten free since April, so I don't think it's that.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Fluffysheep

That looks like fungal nail infection. Check out images on Google (warning, some are yucky !)

google.co.uk/search?q=funga...

NHS information:

nhs.uk/conditions/fungal-na...

I think the NHS has stopped prescriptions for fungal nail infections now so you'd need something like CuraNail or other brand Amorolfine 5%, your Chemist should have something. It can take months of treatment and you have to do it regularly and continue until it's clear or it will come back.

[Fluffysheep in reply to SeasideSusie]

It could be I guess. however, it also looks like some of the pictures for onycholsis as well, complete with the ridges, so I just don't know!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Fluffysheep]

Well, I'd get a doctor to check then.

[Fluffysheep in reply to SeasideSusie]

I feel like I'd be wasting their time really. Already have enough battles regarding my thyroid!!

If it's the thing where it's going to come off, then I guess nothing will stop it. I'll look into the fungal nail stuff you suggested as well, if it's not going to do it any harm if it's not that then I could start applying it and see what happens.

Just wondered if anyone had had similar.

[Mostew in reply to Fluffysheep]

Not wasting their time . Nurse could look . Better than using nail stuff that might not be useful . ?

[Fluffysheep in reply to Mostew]

I guess so. Will have to investigate as the surgery isn't doing face to face appointments (in general), so there is possibly something in place I could send a picture in.

[Mostew in reply to Fluffysheep]

Good idea, good luck

(Know what you mean about battles !! Gets tiring doesn’t it

[Fluffysheep in reply to Mostew]

It so does!!! 😂

[Zephyrbear in reply to SeasideSusie]

I’ve recently had a prescription for Amorolfine 5% from my surgery here in Montgomeryshire, so we can still get it in Wales.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Zephyrbear]

I suppose it could be at the discretion of the GP, my friend has paracetamol on prescription and she's been having it for so long she can't remember what it was prescribed for originally - she doesn't take it, she gives it away 🙄 or maybe it's just NHS England that stopped prescribing certain medications that can be bought OTC.

[NWA6]

Look like a fungal infection. I had one emerge last Christmas when I was poorly with hypo. I started using curanail which is a once a week treatment. Eventually most of the toenail came off and I was left with just about 1/2 a cm. These infections are notoriously hardy! It’s now 19mths later and finally I have half a toenail but it’s completely healthy! I’m still filing and applying the liquid just to be sure!

Boots have a sale on for Curanail atm.

boots.com/health-pharmacy/m...

[Fluffysheep in reply to NWA6]

Thank you 😊

[Nanaedake in reply to Fluffysheep]

I find qualified pharmacists helpful with surface issues like this if you ask at the counter they can probably help orcwill tell you to visit doctor if it's needed.

[Fluffysheep in reply to Nanaedake]

Great idea, thank you. I need to pick my levothyroxine up so will ask.

[Eton]

Could be nail psoriasis. Is it only in one nail?

I developed this in both finger nails and toe nails over a couple of years. Gp suggested fungal nail but referred me to dermatologist who diagnosed nail psoriasis.

[Fluffysheep in reply to Eton]

Yes it is. Thank you.

[McPammy]

Have you checked your thyroid and vitamin levels recently. Check all T4, T3, TSH, B12, D, Folate and ferritin. My toe nails went weird and very unhealthy looking when my thyroid wasn’t optimal and B12 and ferritin deficiency. Once treated with adding T3 to T4 Levothyroxine, B12 injections and ferris fumerate my levels were optimal and my nails are now pretty much perfect.

[Fluffysheep in reply to McPammy]

My ferritin is low, so that could be an issue. Thank you.

[Partner20]

I have a similar problem with just one toenail that has continued for many years. I used topical treatments and antibiotics to no avail, then clippings were sent off to the lab more than once but returned negative for fungal infection. The nail hardly grows, and is unsightly, but the only answer now is to remove it. I have never gone through with this as the recovery necessitates a long period without wearing shoes. Maybe one day I will get round to it. You can try the otc topical treatments, but they are expensive. I would email a picture to your GP in the first instance and ask their advice.

[Fluffysheep in reply to Partner20]

Thanks. I have had fungal nails before (in fact have had 2 for at least 20 years I'd say!) and tried the paint on stuff but it never worked. This nail doesn't look like that, but that isn't to say it isn't fungal. Typically I've just cut my nails, so would need to wait a couple of weeks if clippings were required!