I had a bypass 7 years ago. I have had no serious health problems and I had great results. I went through some tough family issues a few years ago and I started to drink to numb my pain. My last bloodwork showed I was low in iron. My problem now is, the consistency of my hair and nails have changed. Nails are thin, weak and very sensitive, and my hair is dull, dry and almost sticky feeling and its very fly away. It use to hold a curl, now it does not.
If anyone has any idea whats going on...I'd appreciate it.
Hi all, thank you very much for your responses. I actually did have a blood test last week, that's how I new I was low in iron. All other levels, protein, calcium...thyroid were in the normal range. I'm going to lean towards the idea it is the alcohol consumption. What is so stupid! is I have beautiful hair, and I don't look my age. in 08 & 09 I played 2 years of college tennis, (hung over) nearly going undefeated. I am not bragging...I'm confessing to how stupid I am to be damaging my body like I am! I never thought I would have an alcohol problem. Never drank or did drugs growing up, started drinking at 37! I am now 41. the damaged hair and nails and low iron, has to be the alcohol. Yet, come every evening....I'm going to try my hardest tonight not to drink...I have to stop..oh..I've always taken a plethora of vitamins, that's part of the deal when you have a bypass.
Could it be age, meds you're taking, your diet, lack of vitamins, birth control?
Sometimes hair texture changes with meds.
You can take over the counter prenatal vitamins to help you quickly with your nails and it might even help your hair.
Hi T.,
I agree, this is a vitamin and mineral deficiency. I can send you some information about the vitamin and mineral complex I take. It is guaranteed to absorb and also protect antioxidants in your system. I have known people to feel better and look (nails and hair) better within a few days. I'm not guaranteeing that quick but I have seen it happen. Nutrition will also help with keeping your weight where you want it. You don't have to eat more to get more nutrition.
Private message me with an email and I'll be glad to send it to you.
Regards,
M.
Iron affects all those things you mentioned, try taking suppliments, but becareful not to take to much iron, consult your MD. I do not know what this surgery does to what you absorb and do not; however, Vit C helps the absorption of Iron and Calcium stops it, so if you are eating red meat or green leafy Vegitables (which are high in Iron) then have some OJ (not calcium fortified though)
T., Having a few "heavy drinkers" in the family I will answer from thier experiances. The hair and skin problems have nothing to do with the bypass but with the drinking. Alchol will cause so many changes in the system and to your nails and hair it is amazing. It will draw out all the nurients and water out of everything and it can be damage that is not repairable. It ages things by years even if it was not years that you drank.
So you can take iron supplements or eat more iron rich foods which will all help and stop all the alcohol so you don't have future problems. I hope it didn't ruin your great success of the by pass. Good Luck and hope you have found a healty way to deal withproblems and sadness.
Take some good vitamins??
(and yes, stop drinking. If you drink AT ALL, do so in MODERATION. Preferably not at all.)
Even caffeine and sugar negates the good nutrition you get - you know how there are stuff you can take to boost your immunity, or boost your health or stuff like that - well sugar is the opposite of that! It takes away from your health. Caffeine also.
T.,
Ask your MD to test your protein levels (albumin/pre-albumin) as well since your hair and nails can react like this to not getting in the proper amount of protein.
Good luck,
Jenn
Get your thyroid checked. These can be symptoms of Hypothyroidism. If your thyroid is borderline, talk to your doctor about the possibility of subclinical hypothyroidism. Does anyone in your family have this condition? It can run in families. It can also help your doctor to know this in deciding if that is what you may have.
I would check with your doctor again. And start taking a multivitamin! Lack of proper nutrients can reak havoc on your hair and nails!
