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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Horizontal Ridges In The Fingernails, Read To Be Deficiency In The Zinc Content. Is Zinc Deficiency The Real Cause?

My fingernails have developed horizontal ridges. I have recently had checkup with doctor and all blood tests were very good. So apparently no serious health issues apparently. I recently read that horizontal ridges could be caused by a zinc deficiency. Do you concur and if so how many mg. per day would be adequate without being dangerous. I am 69 years old. Thank you. Regards
Fri, 13 Dec 2013
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,

I read your query and understood your concern.

Horizontal lines on the nails are caused by numerous factors. It is physiological in a lot of cases in older age groups due to slowing of nail growth.
It can be due to a various other pathological reasons like kidney / cardiac chronic diseases, psoriasis, eczema, and rarely due to zinc deficiency.
Unless you dont have any other symptoms like diarrhea, loss of apetite, loss of hair, , you dont need to take zinc supplement.
I dont see any reason to worry about if all your tests are normal.
Hope I helped
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Have Horizontal Ridges In The Fingernails, Read To Be Deficiency In The Zinc Content. Is Zinc Deficiency The Real Cause?

Hello and welcome to HCM, I read your query and understood your concern. Horizontal lines on the nails are caused by numerous factors. It is physiological in a lot of cases in older age groups due to slowing of nail growth. It can be due to a various other pathological reasons like kidney / cardiac chronic diseases, psoriasis, eczema, and rarely due to zinc deficiency. Unless you dont have any other symptoms like diarrhea, loss of apetite, loss of hair, , you dont need to take zinc supplement. I dont see any reason to worry about if all your tests are normal. Hope I helped