Hi, I have Hashimoto's and for the last few years, I've slightly overmedicated with levothyroxine though my endo was happy to do so, as I felt better.
I noticed recently that I have what looks like the start of Terry's nails - pale (pale not completely white) nail beds with a dark pink line before the white tip of the nail. I only have half moons on my thumbs.
There's seems to be a lot grim reasons for Terry's nails, but I have sometimes seen Thyroid disorders mentioned but not in much detail.
I wondered if anyone else has noticed this sort of weird change to their nails?
My GP ran a cbc and some other tests, but other than my thyroid, everything seemed okay.
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JackiePotatoes
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Out of interest - is everyone supposed to have half moons showing on each fingernail? Or only on Thumb nails? I don't have any half moons on any of my nails. Does that mean I have a thyroid problem?
For some people, it is nothing to do with your thyroid and they are just hidden behind the skin of your cuticle. Those missing alone, I don't think is any reason for real concern.
My lunulae (medical name for half moons) are present and correct on all ten of my digits.
But, and this is the point, they did shrink considerably when I was hypothyroid and on insufficient dose. Mind, I think the contrast between the lunulae and the rest of the nail is a little less than it used to be. Though that could be things like ageing - I don't know because I've never previously been this old.
B12 was at lower end: 202 (range 197-771) I'm largely vegetarian.
Folate normal: 8.4 (range 3-20)
Vitamin D was was low 46 (range 50-150)
Ferritin wasn't checked oddly, so maybe I'll get that done myself.
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Also had a dexa scan which was normal.
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kidneys function normal, cholesterol normal, no diabetes.
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liver was normal apart from slightly elevated levels of billirubin. My Gp pulled up some previous tests over last decade and said that it was normal for me, and perhaps suggestive of Gilberts syndrome, though no-one has ever mentioned this to me before.
Doc said to get more sunshine and take otc Vitamin b12.
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
Was test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
On levothyroxine for good conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 we need OPTIMAL vitamin levels
Vitamin D at least over 80nmol
Serum B12 at least over 500
Active B12 at least over 70
Ferritin at least over half way through range
as vegetarian it’s frequently (almost always) necessary to supplement B12 daily and a daily vitamin B complex…….especially if also hypothyroid
Similarly low ferritin highly likely on vegetarian diet
If you get bloating…..that strongly suggests gluten intolerance. Zero point being almost gluten free. It needs to be absolutely strictly gluten free to be effective
The present review of the literature regarding B12 status among vegetarians shows that the rates of B12 depletion and deficiency are high. It is, therefore, recommended that health professionals alert vegetarians about the risk of developing subnormal B12 status. Vegetarians should also take preventive measures to ensure adequate intake of this vitamin, including the regular intake of B12 supplements to prevent deficiency. Considering the low absorption rate of B12 from supplements, a dose of at least 250 μg should be ingested for the best results.3
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and add a separate vitamin B Complex after a week or two
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 until over 500
Note that improving folate when B12 is very low is not a good idea. Taking folate before B12 is good enough can lead to severe neurological problems.
I have experienced nail changes. At first it was just in my thumb. I thought at first it was fungal mail not nothing worked to get rid of it. Then it started in my fourth finger on a different hand exactly the same.
My GP referred me to a dermatologist but they couldn’t cure it either and weren’t sure what it was
I then had an appointment with my endo who confirmed it was to do with thyroid disease and there was nothing they could do to prevent it.
I just now keep them very short and they do seem to be improving
I have ridged, splitting nails too. They sometimes split vertically down to the quick, which is horrible. I generally keep them short anyways for playing piano and gardening, but would love to see the splitting improve!
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Hypothyroid - problem with nails?
Pale skin
Finger nail problems. 
Brittle nails 
Pale skin
