Brittle Fingernails

What Causes Brittle Fingernails?

Brittle fingernails can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'minor' to 'life-threatening'.  Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

Diagnose your symptoms now!
  • understand what's happening to your body
  • let The Analyst™ find what's wrong
  • identify any nutritional deficiencies

Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms.  In order to diagnose brittle fingernails, we could:

  • Research the topic
  • Find a doctor with the time
  • Use a diagnostic computer system.
The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "brittle fingernails" as a symptom.  Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):
  • Iron Need
  • Dehydration
  • Anorexia/Starvation Tendency
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Vitamin C Need
  • Psoriasis
  • Poor Digestion
  • Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Need

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
poor concentration during cycle
hypothyroidism
low alcohol consumption
insufficient water consumption
occasional rashes
high iodine consumption
highly elevated basophil count
upward-curving fingernails
difficulty losing weight
low desire to eat breakfast
severe tinnitus
weak appetite
... and more than 110 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of brittle fingernails:
Cause Probability Status
Poor Digestion 95% Confirm
Dehydration 25% Unlikely
Iron Need 18% Unlikely
Anorexia/Starvation Tendency 1% Ruled out
Hypothyroidism 0% Ruled out
Vitamin C Need 0% Ruled out
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Need 0% Ruled out
Psoriasis 0% Ruled out
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate abnormal fingernails and toenails, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:
Are your fingernails brittle - do they chip, peel or break easily?
Possible responses:
→ Don't know
→ No
→ Somewhat
→ Very
Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either absence of brittle fingernails or brittle fingernails, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:
Dehydration

Nails can become brittle due to disease or dehydration.  Nail dehydration can be caused either by external factors such as chemicals, or by the body being dehydrated and trying to conserve water.

Hypothyroidism

Thyroid diseases may produce brittle nails or splitting of the nail bed from the nail plate.

Iron Requirement

A deficiency of essential nutrients and minerals such as iron, zinc, vitamins and calcium can cause the nails to become weak.

Nephrotic Syndrome

Over time, the protein loss occurring in nephrotic syndrome will result in a generally malnourished state, causing hair and nails become brittle.

Concerned or curious about your health?  Try The Analyst™
Symptom Entry
Symptom Entry
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Suggestions
Suggestions
LifeMeter
LifeMeter®
Full Explanations
Explanations
Optional Doctor Review
Review (optional)
We use cookies for traffic analysis, advertising, and to provide the best user experience