Missing Minerals?

Okapi42
Okapi42 Posts: 495 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've noticed that lately, my fingernails break ridiculously easily, and I seem to be losing hair at a higher than average rate as well. I do take a general multivitamin, but could this be some specific thing I'm lacking?

Replies

  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,217 Member
    Low iron, zinc, it's hard to say. Low fat and protein can be problematic as well
  • RobinvdM
    RobinvdM Posts: 634 Member
    When I first started losing weight I was losing hair at an alarming rate. I have always had issues with breaking nails so I don't know if that was an issue or not. I was taking a vit then too, so dunno if its specific nutrient lack or just general side effects of getting slimmer.

    Sorry not a lot of help :bigsmile:
  • med2017
    med2017 Posts: 192 Member
    check your thyroid levels
  • theCarlton
    theCarlton Posts: 1,344 Member
    check your thyroid levels
    seconded
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    Do have lab work done to see if any deficiencies show up there. I have found that taking magnesium and calcium in addition to my multivitamin really made a huge difference in my fingernails. But do get checked by the doctor before you assume that what helped me will fix your problem.
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    dude, go get checked. Don't ask for medical advice from random strangers who (a) don't know your medical history (b) Have very likely no medical qualification (c) can't diagnose over the internet.

    Please, talk to a professional
  • ChantalD75
    ChantalD75 Posts: 680 Member
    I was having the same issue. And extremely tired all the time. When i went for my yearly doctor's visit I told her my symptoms and she had some blood work done and found I was extremely low in iron. I would go see your doctor.
  • CherokeeBabe
    CherokeeBabe Posts: 1,704 Member
    I was having the same issue. And extremely tired all the time. When i went for my yearly doctor's visit I told her my symptoms and she had some blood work done and found I was extremely low in iron. I would go see your doctor.

    I suffered from anemia for awhile, I second the bloodwork and checkup on iron. I was tired all the time even with extra sleep, dark circles under my eyes, fingernails broke easily and my hair wasn't as healthy looking as it had been. Seemed to break easier. Turned out to be iron. I take a multivitamin and a daily iron supplement and I'm doing WORLDS better.
  • My0WNinspiration
    My0WNinspiration Posts: 1,146 Member
    Just take a multi vitamin/mineral supplement.
  • jenns1964
    jenns1964 Posts: 384 Member
    I take a B complex and Biotin.
  • singer201
    singer201 Posts: 563 Member
    Thinning hair can come with age and genetics (thank your bald dad for that, even if you are a woman). I also had brittle and easily breaking nails, so went looking for answers, and found that GERD medications (acid reducers) interfere with biotin (a B vitamin) uptake. With the weight loss, the heartburn went away, so I was able to discontinue the medication, and started taking a biotin supplement. My nails are much better and I think my hair is healthier (can't do much about the genetic thinning part). It's just like when we feed biotin to our horses for a hoof supplement, and their hair coat improves, too.
  • likeschocolate
    likeschocolate Posts: 368 Member
    i diagnose a chocolate deficiency
  • Okapi42
    Okapi42 Posts: 495 Member
    Mmmm, chocolate, I bet that's it.

    I've got a few signs pointing to a thyroid problem, but every time I bring it up, my doctor just tells me to stop looking for excuses why I'm overweight. :-/
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    When my mom started going thru hemo-dialysis, her hair started falling out like a chemo patient. The doctor said it was because the dialysis stripped out a lot of protein from her body, so she needed to eat extra protein. Unfortunately, she didn't want to eat protein, and refused liked a petulant child, so she was almost completely bald by the time she passed away.

    Many people, when they reduce calories, cut back on fat and proteins, therefore they start losing hair, and their nails and skin get dry from the lack of healthy fats. SO get your protein and healthy fats in first, and then fill the rest with good carbs.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    Blood work is your best bet.

    Don't start taking additional supplements of minerals unless needed....especially the metals like Iron. Water soluble ones aren't very dangerous, but you don't want too much Iron. Make sure you are eating enough - lack of nutrition (i.e. low calories without careful attention to nutrition) can cause problems.
  • mfpseven
    mfpseven Posts: 421 Member
    here they are!

    minerals.jpg
  • raeleek
    raeleek Posts: 414 Member
    Could be!

    As someone else mentioned go get checked out. I did and found it was an Iodine deficiency. Wouldn't have known without testing and a lack of many vitamins and minerals can mimic each other.

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