Lines on nails

[Kelly_Macc]

Hi everyone,

I have an underactive thyroid and am currently on 175mg daily of Levothyroxine, which a recent blood test tells me is the right level. However, I have noticed recently I have these lines on my nails and wondered if this was something that could be linked to my thyroid or if there could be something else?

Any advice would be most welcome.

Thanks

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Nails are considered a barometer of your overall health. It was my flakey loosening nails which lead me back to my GP when I was incorrectly told (not for the first time) I had no thyroid issue.

Doctors don’t look at physical symptoms anymore they rely solely on blood test.

Sometimes there’s no health cause for ridges or it is natural ageing.

Have you had blood pressure / thyroid / b12 checked & ferritin checked recently.

Do share any results you have.

Sometimes medication is be the culprit, do you take any others as well as than levo?

Any other symptoms?

Your nails appear very pale (assume not varnished) I see no lunulae (half moons) it can sometimes be a sign of iron deficiency.

[Kelly_Macc in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you so much for getting back to me.

My nails do tend to be quite weak but I've always assumed that was a result of my thyroid.

I do have my blood pressure checked and it is usually on the low side but have not had my b12 or ferritin checked.

I don't take any other prescription medication but I do take aloe vera gel/juice and slipper elm daily as I suffer with heatburn sometimes and multi vitamins.

Now you mention it they do seem quite pale, this isn't varnish.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to Kelly_Macc]

vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels need regular testing and optimal levels to ensure Levo works well. They are not always included on a blood test. Sometimes GPs check TSH only without FT4 & FT3.

Multi vitamin often contain tiny, least absorbable & cheapest types of nutrients and sometimes contain copper, iodine, calcium, Iron which are often not necessary & unhelpful if taken in excess, so multis are not recommended.

Do you have access to your records? Online access is excellent if your practice offers it - set it up. If not approach practice reception and obtain copies & don’t accept verbal or hand scribbled notes you need a printed copy, this will have sample date & ranges (ranges vary between labs so essential).

Many use private companies as GP refuse to do a complete test

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Are vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels regularly retested and optimal

Obviously need TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested

Are you on strictly gluten free diet

[Kelly_Macc in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply.

Yes I do always have the same brand of levothyroxine.

I also take aloe vera, slippery elm and multi vitamin everyday.

I don't think I have ever had vitamin D, folate, ferritin or b12 checked ever.

I am due a general blood test soon but guessing that also wont include them.

No I am not gluten free.

[janeroar in reply to Kelly_Macc]

Indigestion and Hashimotos tend to be linked - sometimes worth trying a strictly gluten free diet for 6 weeks to see if improve your gut function. That will help you absorb your nutrients from your diet

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kelly_Macc]

Strongly recommend getting full thyroid and vitamin testing annually as minimum

Acid reflux suggests under medicated for thyroid

Multivitamins are never recommended on here.

Important to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

Come back with new post once you get results

[TSH110]

My nails are a mess with lines down them and spooning of the nails. I have been taking betteryou iron spray and notice some good improvement in them although they are still not great. Might be worth checking your iron status m. I wasn’t defficient but I was not optimal hence my trying the spray.

I feel generally well and take NDT but my nails have never fully recovered from the effects of my thyroid disorder.