Brittle Nails

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Hi,

Can you offer some advice? Used to bite my nails – have been growing them for 2 years now. First time ever – I have brittle nails that are peeling. Never happened before. Moisturise with the body shops “almond oil daily hand and nail cream” but they’re very brittle and my two thumb nails have snapped so far down they bleed now :’(

Can you suggest anything? (I’m on levothyroxine – done a blood test, all ok – they think I might be anaemic so are testing shortly)

Thanks!

Me x

pollypenny

Post menopause, my previously strong, long nails went like yours.

I didn't want to go on HRT, so I started taking calcium tablets, on the basis that my bones might be in the same condition as my nails.

They are now back to long and strong - grow quickly and make me do typos!

starrystarry

OPI Nail Envy (soft and peeling) or Nailtiques Formula 2

Both are very good for peeling nails, but if yours are brittle as well I'm not so sure. Brittle and peeling sounds like an unusual combination. What do you mean by brittle?

lisa26_2

Mine peel and are brittle too. i've tried both OPI nail envy, which I gave up on as I thought it was making them worth, and Nailtiques formula 2 which the lady in the salon recommended. I'm currently using that one but not seen much improvement yet.

I'm interested in your comments about being on levothyroxine as I am too. Are brittle/peeling nails related to that?

JessicaFletcher

My nails were brittle and peeling and I tried nearly everything on the market to try and cure it. I had a major improvement when I stopped using any form of nail polish - even the nail strengthening ones. Within about 2 months my nails were nearly normal.

belfastgirl23

Nail polish does this to my nails, as does any kind of strengthening product. Which seems crazy but there you go!

the only thing I find helps is keeping them moisturised. This means using handcream all the time - pretty much every time I wash my hands. And rubbing it right into nails and surrounding areas

My nails were especially fantastic when I used this specialist cuticle oil

http://nevo-spa.com/en/eshop/nails-care/cuticle-oil--18.html

and rubbed it right into nails and cuticles regularly. It was a gift though and I haven't ever been willing to spend that amount of money again. I've used other cuticle products and they've not been as good though...

bella*donna

I used to have brittle nails until I started using L'Occitane handcream. Now got lovely smooth hands and very strong nails (actually took a chunk of platerboard out of the wall by accident with my thumbnail the other day - nail is fine!).

It is pricey, but lasts for ages as once you have been using it for a couple of weeks, you only need a little blob once a day.

Mrs_P_Pincher

If you're on levo, are you on enough? Peeling, brittle nails is yet another hypo symptom so it may be that your levels are not optimal. Your GP may well say that your levels are 'normal' simply because they are within range, when in fact your TSH needs to be about 1 and your T4 in the top third of the range to feel really well. Your GP cannot withhold copies of your results and should print them and hand them over if you ask.

You do need to be sure that you are not anaemic and that your iron stores (ferritin), Vit B12 and Vitamin D are at optimal levels as well, because if they are not, that can stop your levo working.

Lots more information on www.thyroid-disease.org.uk

Mrs P P

pattycake

This is all very interesting. I am hypothyroid too and take 125mcg of thyroxine daily. My nails are shocking! Thinking back, they are always like this at this time of year. I have always put it down to the weather and to the fact that over Christmas and New Year, I wear nail polish much more often than usual.

They always improve come Spring but coincidentally, I often have my meds increased at this time of year.

My annual thyroid test is normally February. Last year it was repeated in April after an increase so I will not be tested again until then. It all makes sense now. I am probably due another increase and my nails are a symptom! Luckily, I do feel quite well as often when my levels are low, I feel rubbish. My weight is creeping up a bit though.

oldandhappy

Thyroid dysfunctions can cause loads of various ailments from serious to minor issues and its really hard to know whether its your thyroid disease or not. Blood tests are only a guide and that is all the doctor will go on...so that is unfortunately how it is. I have hashimotos disease, results in under active thyroid which is common in my family. Although my nails use to be poor having taken a calcium with magnesium supplement for several years now my nails are very strong. My weight is a problem to me but my sister who has Hashimotos also is slim her daugher has it and stRuggles with her weight something awlful........ so maybe we all react differently. Sometimes the only way to gauge it is how you really feel and I feel good mostly. Dianne

4nnabella

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Nail polish does this to my nails, as does any kind of strengthening product. Which seems crazy but there you go!

the only thing I find helps is keeping them moisturised. This means using handcream all the time - pretty much every time I wash my hands. And rubbing it right into nails and surrounding areas

My nails were especially fantastic when I used this specialist cuticle oil

http://nevo-spa.com/en/eshop/nails-care/cuticle-oil--18.html

and rubbed it right into nails and cuticles regularly. It was a gift though and I haven't ever been willing to spend that amount of money again. I've used other cuticle products and they've not been as good though...

Have just been looking on eBay and there's quite a lot of kits priced around the same as the cuticle oil on it's own, and they've got the oil in them, plus a load of other things.

http://health-beauty.shop.ebay.co.uk/Health-Beauty-/26395/i.html?_nkw=nevo&_catref=1&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

Plus if you scroll down, then there's some cuticle oil on it's own for a few ££s.

Think I'm going to get some