Painful, lifting nails

[RiffyWammal]

My nails have been gradually lifting from the ends towards the cuticle for 3 - 4 years. I went to the doctor who took clippings and sent them off for analysis but nothing was found such as fungus. I have recently been diagnosed with underactive thyroid and one of the symptoms is lifting, breaking nails.

My pointer is really sore today, as I caught it on something yesterday. My nails constantly break really low down on the corners that are lifted. I keep them filed as short as I can but the quick pokes out under the nail IYSWIM. They look so ugly that I am never without nail polish to disguise them, but I don't know if this is exacerbating or even causing the problem!

Does anyone know if there is anything I can do to make my nails better? My thyroid problem is being treated, but my nails haven't improved.

Oh great. According to those photos I also have the wrinkled hands of a crone.

I am no dermatologist but is it psoriasis of the nails. I have had very similar for years...any pitting?

Taking zinc, calcium & silica is good to strengthen nails.

take zinc and biotin tablets

Thanks for your replies

I don't have any pitting or signs of psoriasis anywhere else.

I will try the nail strengthening supplements. But the nails themselves seem strong enough, it's just they don't want to be attached to my nail bed!

it might take a while until your thyroid problem is well and truly sorted before there is any improvement - and then it will take longer before improvement is visible because all the old damaged nail will have to grow out. Are you seeing an endocrinologist? Have they said anything about your nails? If they are not getting better after your treatment has been sorted out and your thyroid levels are consistently normal, maybe ask to see a dermatologist? I'm assuming they deal with nail stuff too?? Might also be good to post this in general health.

Thankyou cardamomginger. You're probably right, I've not been taking the thyroid tablets long, and I haven't even had a blood test since I was diagnosed so no idea what my levels are yet. I'm not seeing an endocrinologist no, just my GP. I'm probably just being impatient and need to wait a while for things to get back to normal!