My hair isn't growing and nails spliting, feel fed up.

[Flowerpower70]

I am 44, my hair used to be thick and grow quickly, really quick and thick. I am devastated as my hair is now thinner and hardly grows.. I used to use semi permanent dye now I use permanent dye, ammonia free and although I do straighten my hair I used to staraughten before it started to thin and now grow. My nail are terrible, they split and flake, I used to have strong nails.. is this all part of getting older or not? I don't smoke or drink and exercise, eat fairly healthy. Oh and to boot my gums are receding. I feel I need some help..any advice please

I'd get in contact with a doctor to check your vitamins etc are all good

This, obviously, but I'd also be starting biotin and Omega 3 supplements if you don't already take them.

Superdrug hand and nail cream is fab! Pink tube about £2.49!
And stop dyeing your hair! I haven't dyed mine since April 2023. It's absolutely gloriously soft and in fab condition.... I am 53 been dyeing it over 20 years!! The grey is lovely!! Still do a soft brown on my brows though! Home dye. Cheap as chips. Well cheaper since chips are no longer bloody cheap! Use a pre straightening spray.

Thank you, I think I should as feel really fed up with it all.

Thanks for your helpful advice

I don't so I will start taking them.

"I'd get in contact with a doctor to check your vitamins etc are all good"
Definitely get this stuff checked out first, plus thyroid hormone levels.

I'd be concerned about a medical cause and surprised you haven't seen your GP by now!
Thyroid, anaemia, peri could all be causes.

I thought it may just be down to age.. i spoke to nurse practitioner and she said it is vitamin related. I will see gp again but a 6 week waiting list for appointments here..😥

Can you see a private GP?

Sounds like you are deficient in vitamins / minerals I'd get bloods taken and take a good quality multivitamin and a high strength vitamin D

Agree with taking biotin it's in my kids gummy multivit and it's worked wonders on all of our nails!

i spoke to nurse practitioner and she said it is vitamin related
Did she do a blood test before making this diagnosis? I'm very surprised she didn't organise blood tests for deficiencies! 6 weeks wait to see a GP? That is bonkers.

Apparently iron levels being too low can affect hair and nail growth

I've taken biotin for breaking nails and it didn't make a difference.

Hand cream seem better

No blood test, I felt I was making a fuss over nothing, she was dismissive of my symptoms. At the moment, the gp surgery I am at has 3 part time gps but it's so hard to get appointments and the other surgeries in the area aren't taking on. It was bad before covid now it's even worse.

I am vegetarian, so maybe thats why. I do eat a lot of greens and i tried iron supplements but they gave me awful gas and.. urgent tummy troubles. Thanks for the advice, much appreciated