Nails that break/tear really easily and vertical ridges

[epicclusterfuck]

My nails are in a bit of a state! Vertical ridges on all nails that are very prominent to the point that where the ridges are the nails are cracking and dry. I don't have them very long as they constantly break or tear.

I am coeliac and on thyroxine for Hashimoto's so could this be related or something else? I also get regular B12 injections.

I'm a beauty therapist and from my experience if its effecting all your nails it could be a vitamin deficiency (commonly vit a, zinc or calcium). DM has hashimotos and her meds don't cause her nails any problems but it's not an unreasonable assumption. Could you speak to your gp and find out if any of your medication could be causing it? And if there's a reputable salon near you it might be worth popping in and asking them - just be aware that it will likely end in a sales push.

For the cracking it could possibly be related to moisturising. Get a nice hand cream (I prefer a thick heavy one bonus points for lavender scented) apply and massage in a bit concentrating on your nails and cuticles and then pop some cotton gloves on. After a week of that I would just rub in a bit of cream and leave gloves off.

Hope this helps!

I have an underactive thyroid and mine are the same, it's quite a common side affect of it. I went to my local Holland and Barratt to see about vitamins etc and she said there's a lot I can't have due to the thyroid issue as she had been researching for her SIL. Maybe see yours or your GP?

*not a lot

My nails went like that when I was very anaemic.

Thank you for the suggestions.

I do not know about your medications, but my nails were soft and tore or broke easily. I noticed a few months ago that they are stronger and I think it could possibly be the vitamin D tablets I began taking 3-4 a day instead of 1.

It's a thyroid thing.

I have Crohns/colitis and my nails are like this. I think it's because I can't absorb the normal level of vitamins and minerals through my faulty gut wall. I do hand cream and sometimes a nail oil rubbed in. Not convinced it does much but my hands smell nice! I've had my thyroid checked (my eyebrows are also disappearing) but apparently it's within acceptable limits.
Sally Hansen diamond hard helps the nails too.

I do wonder if the coeliac disease means I don't absorb vitamins/minerals well although I am on a gluten free diet. I don't have pernicious anaemia but B12 blood tests are always on the low side even after injections. I also,have permanent tingling in my feet and legs.

I have this. But my GP said tests didn't show anything.

Do you know what tests the GP asked for?

I noticed gelatine, well, jelly, helps to improve my nails so I eat a cube every 2-3 days.
I quickly notice when I don't eat it for a couple of weeks!

Strangely mine have improved slightly since I gave up gluten but since you are coeliac you’ll already be gf. I also have underactive thyroid so I think that’s a cause too.