Brittle nails can be a sign of anemia (or other health issues)

Brittle nails are a sign of a very unhealthy lifestyle and sometimes, can even indicate serious health disorders! Sometimes, nails turn brittle due to excessive use of chemicals, nail polishes and detergents. So you may not be worried about them beyond getting a manicure. But, brittle nails may also indicate skin infections and other serious disorders like hypothyroidism, liver diseases, selenium poisoning, etc. Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is a condition wherein the thyroid glands secrete thyroxine (T4) and the triiodothyronine (T3), which affects almost all parts of the body. It affects our brain, heart, metabolism and psychological factors, too. It is very common in women. In this particular condition, the thyroid glands become underactive. Brittle nails are one of the earliest symptoms of hypothyroidism. Iron deficiency Brittle nails can also be a hint that you are suffering from iron deficiency. According to a study[1], iron deficiency can also lead to anaemia in a lot of people. This, again, is common in women. On examination, several skin, nail and other epithelial changes can be seen in people with chronic iron deficiency. However, there's more to anaemia than just iron deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency Vitamin B12 is essential for the formation of tissues, blood cells and also keeps your nervous system healthy. Vitamin B12 does not form naturally and the body is dependent on external resources like food or other vitamin supplements. Lack of Vitamin B12 can lead to dry and dull skin and your nails, too, turn brittle. Here are 6 symptoms of Vitamin B12 you should know. Psoriasis Psoriasis is a skin disease, in which you experience raised, red patches on the skin with silvery scales. Studies[3] say that most people who have skin psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis also have nail psoriasis. The most common clinical signs are nail plate pitting, brittle nails, splinter, hemorrhages, nail discolouration, etc. Delay in treatment may lead to severe infections. You should know these 10 things your nails say about your health. Liver disease Yes, you read it right. Brittle nails can also be an indicator for liver diseases. According to a study[4], nail changes are observed not only in patients suffering liver cirrhosis but also in patients who are diagnosed with hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Did you know these 10 things that can cause liver disease. How do you take care of your nails? Tell us in comments. Image Source: Shutterstock

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For more articles on diseases & conditions, visit our diseases & conditions section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. For health related Q&A, click here! Reference: 1. Frewin, R., Henson, A., & Provan, D. (1997). ABC of clinical haematology. Iron deficiency anaemia. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 314(7077), 360. 2. Vinceti, M., Wei, E. T., Malagoli, C., Bergomi, M., & Vivoli, G. (2001). Adverse health effects of selenium in humans. Reviews on environmental health, 16(4), 233-252. 3. Tan, E. S., Chong, W. S., & Tey, H. L. (2012). Nail Psoriasis. American journal of clinical dermatology, 13(6), 375-388. 4. Salem, A., Gamil, H., Hamed, M., & Galal, S. (2010). Nail changes in patients with liver disease. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 24(6), 649-654.