Brittle nails may be described as dry, thinning, or slow to grow. They may separate from the nail bed, the
cuticle may be lost, or the nail may have vertical lines called striations.1,2
Brittle nails may be rough on the nail plate surface, and may be fragile, both breaking and peeling easily.1
Most commonly observed in 41–60 year olds, brittle nails are one of many possible hypothyroidism
symptoms.2
Low thyroid hormone slows the body’s metabolism and can decrease the action of sweating, which helps
to moisturize the body. As a result of lower metabolism and sweating, skin, hair, and nails become
noticeably dry and brittle.3
If you are experiencing brittle nails or are experiencing other hypothyroidism symptoms, it is advisable to
speak to your doctor about getting a thyroid test done.
References:
1. Dimitris R, Ralph D. Management of simple brittle nails. Dermatol Ther. 2012;25(6):569-573. 2. Jamwal A, Gupta V, Sharma A, Rather PA. Cutaneous
manifestations of hypothyroidism: prospective hospital based clinical study. J Adv Med Dent Scie. 2013;1(2):5-12. 3. The lowdown on thyroid slowdown.
Harvard Health Publishing. Accessed May 25, 2023. https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_ article/the-lowdown-on-thyroid-slowdown
