Can low iron affect toenails?

Spoon nails

Spoon nails

Koilonychia, also known as spoon nails, is a nail disease that can be a sign of hypochromic anemia, especially iron-deficiency anemia. It refers to abnormally thin nails (usually of the hand) which have lost their convexity, becoming flat or even concave in shape.

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Koilonychia - Wikipedia

usually develop on fingernails, but they can also occur in your toenails. The most common cause of spoon nails is iron deficiency, or anemia. This makes your level of red blood cells lower than normal.

Does anemia affect toenails?

Brittle Nails: Anemia or Thyroid Disease

While brittleness can develop simply as a part of aging, if your nails seem to crack for no reason, this might be a sign of anemia. Anemia is a condition where your body lacks enough hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

Does iron deficiency affect your nails?

A much less common symptom of iron deficiency is brittle or spoon-shaped fingernails. This condition is called koilonychia ( 22 ). Usually, the first sign is brittle nails that chip and crack easily.

What nail problems are caused by iron deficiency anemia?

Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail. The nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia.

What does iron do to nails?

Summary Iron is needed to provide your cells with adequate oxygen, which, in turn, is necessary for healthy nails. If you have an iron deficiency, the shape and appearance of your nails can be affected.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia Signs

What do nails look like with anemia?

Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.

What deficiencies show in nails?

- A deficiency in B-complex vitamins, especially biotin, will produce ridges along the nail bed. - A diet lacking in calcium contributes to dry, brittle nails. - A lack of folic acid and vitamin C can lead to hangnails. - Insufficient dietary essential oils, like omega-3, cause cracking.

How do you feel when your iron is low?

What causes ridges in toenails?

What causes ridges in nails? Ridges in nails usually come from aging but can also indicate improper nail care, nail trauma, vitamin deficiency, or even a more pressing medical condition, according to 2022 research.

How can I raise my iron levels quickly?

If you have iron-deficiency anemia, taking iron orally or getting iron administered intravenously along with vitamin C is often the fastest way to raise your iron levels. Iron is necessary to produce hemoglobin in red blood cells, which helps the RBCs carry oxygen to organs and other tissues of the body.

Does anemia affect hair and nails?

Share on Pinterest Hair loss is not a typical symptom of iron deficiency anemia. Iron plays a crucial role in making hemoglobin, a compound that carries oxygen to cells, which is essential for the body to function. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include: brittle nails.

Does iron deficiency cause nail ridges?

Iron deficiency anemia can also trigger vertical ridges and changes to your nails that make them concave or spoon-shaped.

Are iron tablets good for nails?

“Iron deficiencies are definitely a common cause of brittle nails,” explains Dr. Schlessinger. Luckily, “iron supplements can improve your nail strength, preventing breakage and splitting,” he says, so if you suspect your levels might be off, make an appointment with your doc or derm for a little blood test.

Can vitamin D deficiency cause nails?

Fat-soluble vitamin deficiency (al. S. M., 2011) – Deficiencies specifically in vitamins A, D, E, and K typically will cause nails to be softer, termed hapalonychia.

Can nails indicate health problems?

Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.

Can low iron cause weight gain?

Iron-deficient people experience low energy levels and sudden weight gain because of an underactive thyroid gland.

What do my toenails say about my health?

Yellow Toenails

Your toenails tell a lot about your overall health. A fungal infection often causes thickened yellow toenails. Thick, yellow nails also can be a sign of an underlying disease, including lymphedema (swelling related to the lymphatic system), lung problems, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Why do my toenails have vertical lines?

The vertical lines running from the cuticle to the top of the nail are nothing to be worried about. In most cases, such longitudinal ridging is simply a side effect of the normal aging process of nails. In addition, nails often lose their luster as they age and may appear opalescent and dull.

Do thyroid problems cause nail ridges?

Horizontal ridges can be caused by trauma to the nail and may be deep or discolored. The can also indicate malnutrition, psoriasis or a thyroid problem. Check with your doctor if you see horizontal ridges on your nails; they may indicate a more serious problem. Need to make an appointment with a Piedmont physician?

What do eyes look like when anemic?

Dark circles under your eyes are common. They are most often due to lack of sleep but they could suggest other health issues. These include: - Anaemia - iron deficiency can prevent your blood from carrying sufficient oxygen to your eye tissues.

How long does it take to get iron levels up?

If you have iron deficiency anaemia , your doctor will prescribe iron supplements. It may take 6 months to one year for your body to restock its iron stores. Your iron levels will be regularly reviewed with blood tests.

What drink is high in iron?

A. Juices like prune juice, beetroot juice, pumpkin juice and spinach juice are rich plant-based iron sources. They are also a powerhouse of various vitamins and minerals, which increase your body's healthy iron levels.

Does B12 deficiency affect nails?

2 Nail changes in vitamin B₁₂ deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks. The nail pigmentation associated with B₁₂ deficiency is more frequent in patients with dark skin.

What deficiency causes brittle toenails?

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiency causes of cracked nails. The body also requires proteins and B vitamins to effectively build strong, healthy nails.

Why are my big toenails so brittle?

Cause: Age

As you get older, your nails may dry out and grow more slowly. Toenails usually get thicker and harder, while fingernails get thinner and easier to break. There's no specific age when this happens, and it doesn't happen to everyone, but it could be the cause of your brittle nails.