Hello, I have been hypothyroid for over 20 years. Years ago I started to notice a problem with my left thumb which would keep splitting vertically.
Over the years it has spread to about 5 of my fingers at different times. I have to keep nails shorter than I would like like but they still split. Just be chance the other day I read online that vertical splitting is caused by under active thyroid. Anyone have this same problem and have you found a solution. Thanks.
Hi Libralady13
I have not noticed any splitting but I have quite ridged nails on my fingers.
I also have an underactive thyroid so it could be due to that.
Hope you find an answer
kind regards
Thanks for yur reply. I have ridged lines in my nails but I have had them since I can remember but they have got worse as I have got older (now66). Perhaps it is called to connected to the thyroid.
All the best to you.
Hi, cracked skin on finger ends is due to dry skin, which is a classic symptom of an underactive thyroid. There is a really good You Tube video by Derm TV - How to Heal Cracked Fingertips: it is American so the prducts are slightly different. (Type DermTV.comEpi#125 in the You Tube search bar). Basically, if you get the cracks early enough, apply 'spray plaster' by Elastoplast, until it heals. If you don't get it early, apply vaseline and cover it with a plaster. I started using Norwegan Formula concentrated hand cream a couple of years ago and I haven't had any since. I don't know where you live, but if you have a Home Bargain shop, they sell it cheaper than Boots or Superdrug. Good Luck!
Hi, Thanks for your reply. It is not the finger tips but the actual nails. I will thought try the norwegian formula. I do know of Home Bargain shops although we don't have them in my area my daughter does in Greater Manchester so I could ask her. Thanks again.
My nails are awful, crumbly, soft, splitting and breaking. Nothing has worked. Glad my post helped.
I used to have problem fingernails too, when I was younger. I found that if I drank unflavored geletain powder mixed in juice it did wonders for my fingernails, in fact, too much so. My fingernails became very strong but I had to stop the geletain as if I hit them wrong against something, they would actually snap off. Then I went to typing/word processing to earn a living switching from typewriters to computers, I found that long fingernails were actually a hinderance. So I keep my middle 3 fingers with short nails and content myself with longer thumb and little finger nails. I've alway had nice looking hands and even at age 71 am vain about how my hands and nails look. Oh yes, no polish. I do use a hand cream high in glycerine. Since I don't wear polish, I can rub the cream right into the nails. As to your nail ridges, it depends on which direction they go. Usully vertical ridges are normal as we age (I get tired of how often I hear doctors use the term..."as we age"...) because of lack of moisture. Also, nails need to breathe and polish stops their ability to do that. I am only speaking from my own experience. When I stopped using polish, started massaging cream into them, the ridges went away. Also, pay special attention to moisturising the cutical. There are a other causes, but aging is the most common. If they are horrizontal across the nail, that could be a signal of health issues, either current or in the past. If you are really concerned that it could be health reasons, you should see a good dermatologist.
Thank you Cookie, The ridges are vertical I have always had them but they have got worse as I got older. I don't use nail polish although I do miss it. I remember when I was a teenager eating a cube of jelly everyday for nails. My nails do grow ok it is just this vertical splitting that drives me mad. I will start moisturing them more. Thanks for the tips
Hi liberally13' I started taking omega 3 capsules and they seem to be working as my nails are quite strong and growing. Hope that helps good luck.
Hi I used to take omega 3 but never thought it helped my nails still everyone is different. I was recommended norwegian formula concentrated hand cream by another member and having started using it. They are still splitting but they look at bit better so will carry on for a while.
Hi there - yes finger nail problems are very common in hypothyroidism recognised by the vertical ridges. Mine wont grow much without breaking off. If you have taken levothyroxine for a long time it may not be as effective. The endocrine system is a very complicated one - and not so easily treated as we are led to believe
Hi Yes I have vertical ridges although I have had them since I was young there were not very noticeable then but have got worse over the years.
I have had hypothyroidism for over 20 years so probably a combination of thyroid and ageing. Yes the endocrine system is complicated and I know all about problems patients have with getting diagnosed and getting the right treatment. I think most people think just take a tablet and then everything is fine but it is not always so.
Its easy to be fobbed off with 'Its just your age' too. If only they would treat your symptoms and not your blood test results 
I even had a GP swing the computer screen round to me to show my test results (while I felt absolutely dreadful) and said 'Look!! Theres nothing wrong with you!!!
Hi not sure if you sorted your nail splitting I also get this and have been informed it is a symptom of vitamin D deficiency, which I have.
Hi Amanda, Yes I take Vitamin D3. It was discovered I was low in this vitamin after I broke my wrist, they also diagnosed osteopenia. I was put on vitamin D3 2200 i.u. now reduced to half. I have arthritis and the consultant also said I should take it. I also have an underactive thyroid (on medication for well over 20 years) which can affect nails.
My nails are still the same though. The vertical ridges have always been there but have got worse as I got older. Half of my finger nails spilt vertically so always have to have them very short so can't really work nail polish which I always liked to do. I think it might be something to do with them being dry. This might be a side effect of the menopause although I am years past that at 67.
Hi Libralady,
I was diagnosed as hypothyroid a couple years ago, and now think I was hypo for close to a decade before that. My nails were brittle too, but that wasn't as bothersome as my thumb nail splitting. When I started taking levothyroxine and Vitamin D, the split healed and my nails grew too long for the first time in many years! I wasn't quite "right" on T4, so I switched to Armour (still on same dose of Vit D), and the split came back, so now I'm online trying to figure out why. I won't go back to T4-only because I like having my brain work again, but I'm taking my split nail as a sign that I'm still not 100%. One thread suggested it's from a Vitamin B12 deficiency, and recommended 1-5 gm of B12, sublingualy, in the form of methocobolamin. I'm going to give it a try until my next doc appointment when I'll ask her about my Armour dosage. I hope it works... for all of us!
Hi FrannieNN, As you will see from my original post I have been hypothyroid since my mid 40's and I am now nearly 68. My nails have got worse over the years. I think menopause has not helped either. My gp halved my dose of vitamin D but recently I have gone back to the original dose 22.000 i.u. I have my blood tests taken yearly I have other health problems as well. Funnily enough my aunt had pernicious anaemia which I believe is to do with low B12. I did ask my gp about it some time ago but she said they only test if your blood count results suggests further testing. So it is interesting you mention B12. I would be interested to know how you get on.
Ooooh, I made a bad typo! 1-5 MILLIgrams of B12... not grams! OMG...
Libralady, I was blaming menopause for my symptoms too, but when the fatigue took over my life and I was shivering under a blanket in August in Arizona, I figured it was more than that! Interesting about your aunt having pernicious anemia! Did she have splitting nails too? The woman behind "Stop the Thyroid Madness" (STTM) set up a deal with a national lab in the US to get testing done on our own (since docs who are truly knowledgeable about hypothyroidism seem to be so rare), and she's got a B12 deal too.
BTW, STTM notes that stomach acid production inhibitors (antacids like Prevacid and Prilosec) can make you anemic by decreasing absorption of B12.
Libralady, I just responded and took a chance that I could add a website link, but I guess links need to go to the moderator for approval.
In case that post gets tossed, one point that might affect you is that some antacids make people anemic by decreasing B12 absorption. The ones that decrease production of stomach acid are worse than the ones that neutralize acid.
Crossing my fingers that the moderator sees value for others in my link! If not, look for Stop the Thyroid Madness (STTM) for loads of information on hypothyroidism. For those in the US who haven't found a knowledgeable doc yet, STTM set up special lab pricing so you can get the labs done that you need for a proper diagnosis.They also have a reduced price on B12 lab testing.
Yes I know about the problems with PPI's. I was on them for around 8 weeks but the side effects as I suffer from IBS were bad, never mind any other problems they cause. I weaned myself off them, it took ages to get them out of my system even after just 8 weeks. I would never take them again. I have heard of stop the thyroid madness, so I will investigate.
I am in the UK so thank heavens for the NHS even though it gets a slating about waiting times etc it is still free at point of need. I also know the controversy about hypothyroidism and under diagnosis and under
treatment. I am sure you know what I mean. I was interested to hear you take armour. Let me know how you get on with any change to your dose.
Take care