[salukigirl]

Normally my hair grows so fast that I can cut off between 8-10 inches every year. I cut off about 8 inches in May and it has been growing a lot slower. Normally it would be about 3-4 inches longer than it is right now. I have noticed it breaking a lot easier also.

Plus I have noticed that my nails are becoming very brittle and break very easily. I know that this sounds like some kind of deficiency in something but I'm not sure what?

[deliquesce]

zinc is usually the culprit. but brittle nails, slow growing hair etc can also be the result of stress.

i would suggest a good multivitamin which has "selenium" in it also. but check with your doc first, because sometimes these things are indicative of more serious issues.

[notz]

I've had a horrible time with my nails being brittle, and splitting up the middle. (yes, it hurts) Thyroid is fine. Always take a multi-vitamin.

Started taking biotin which has helped in my opinion. While watching TV, I give my nails and cuticles a nice massage with Vitamin E nail & cuticle oil.

I also use several coats of Hard as Nails. I use a pop top opener now instead of my finger to open cans. Less dishwashing. This approach has been helpful. Not so many splits up the middle...ouch!

My hair has thinned since taking mood stabilizers and antidepressants. I try to wear a hat if I'm in the summer sun for long periods of time. My scalp with get very sunburned. Don't know if the meds are the reason...beats the alternative!

Hope it gets better Salukigirl

[perpetuallysad]

My first guess would be thyroid or pituitary glad, but that's just because of my personal experience. My sister has cushing's syndrome (I think that's how you spell it) and she has extremely thin, brittle hair and brittle nails. She also has a lot of other symptoms, but those were the first two things she noticed.

[salukigirl]

I have been tested several times for thyroid problems. I had been having symptoms of hypoglycemia so I was being tested periodically for anemia, blood glucose and thyroid problems and, since I changed my diet, everything has come back fine. I just had blood work done not too long ago and everything came back fine then also.

I am going into my last semester as an undergrad so I could definitely see stress being a factor. I have always been kind of skeptical of multi-vitamins because I feel like they won't be absorbed unless I take certain things with them. I will try that though and see if it helps.

Thanks for the responses.

[ECHOES]

Dehydration, maybe. You could try increasing your water intake and see if that helps

[Rhapsody]

I know a lack of Iron can cause nails to become brittle... have you been dx with being anemic with in the last year? - and protein is needed for strong healthy hair, a daily can of tuna if often suggested.

BUT - the best way to find out what your body may be lacking is to have blood work drawn on your next yearly check up.
And as always 6 to 8 cups of water (per day) does the body good.

[littleyellowspider]

I used to have very brittle hair and nails too. It turned out I had anemia and once I started taking the right iron supplements it really started to improve. Maybe this is your problem. Good luck!

[thunderbear]

Hey salukigirl. It may very well be a defincency of some kind like the others said. And you mentioned stress. Stree can make your hair brittle. I don't know about making your nails brittle though. I know in the weeks leading up to my mom's death, my hair was thinning in the front and my hairdresser/aunt told me it was stress and anxiety. So I went to my doc and had blood tests done, they all came back fine and stress was exactly what was causing the hair loss.