What do the ridges on my nails mean?

We'd all like beautiful, perfect, natural nails, but if you're struggling with yours, there could be a problem that's more than cosmetic. The health of your nails can also be a good indicator of the nutrient levels and health of your entire body. Think of your nails as the 'canaries' of your body. They're the front-line indicators for disease development and progression.

There are plenty of conditions that can present in the nails, but specifically today I want to look at ridges.

According to Dr. Rhett Drugge, editor-in-chief of The Electronic Textbook of Dermatology, low thyroid function and vitamin B12 levels are two of the most common reasons that you will find ridges in your nails.

Thyroid hormone is what regulates your metabolism and without it, your metabolism slows and prevents your body from managing even basic functions. Another sign that your ridged nails may come from thyroid dysfunction is if you are always cold. Low thyroid can affect everything from your head to your toes … literally. Horizontal lines and brittle nails indicate that you need to get your thyroid levels checked, particularly if your nails tear easily too.

The NHS thyroid test is a good place to start, but if you are experiencing symptoms and the test comes back 'normal' it's well worth investing in private testing with a more thorough panel. There's plenty of supplements and diet changes you can make to help support your thyroid, so if you need advice on these, do get in touch!

The second most likely reason you may have ridges in your nails is a vitamin B12 deficiency. The most common reasons you might be suffering from lack of B12 are diet, age, and drugs (even things like ibuprofen or antacids). Vegetarians can also be at a higher risk of deficiency as the primary dietary source of B12 is meat (this can be replaced by eating large quantities of unpasteurised fermented foods though).

Just because you eat meat though, doesn't mean you don't have a B12 deficiency. In fact, I'm seeing more and more clients presenting with this. Elderly people in particular suffer, even if they eat large amounts of meat, because they don't have enough intrinsic factor or enzymes to break down the meat and absorb B12.

If you're on any kind of proton pump inhibitor (such as omeprazole) for heart burn or reflux, then you DEFINITELY need to supplement vitamin B12.

Not all supplements are created equal, and it's important to ensure that you are taking a supplement with the active form of B12 methylcobalamin in it. If you have any queries over supplementing, it's best to book an appointment so we can go over what would best suit your needs.