My first thought was "thyroid" but that should not affect your nails like this. And I am sure you have had every test under the sun. I am so sorry you are going through this. I can imagine the frustrations of seeing it return. And we really need our nails to protect our hands from infection or damage because we use our hands so much. I was wondering if you have noticed anything in your life now, as this condition returns, that was also in your life when it began years ago? And that may have left as your symptoms left. Are you suffering from any kind of symptoms again, that you had last time, and may not have realized? Think back. Could you be under stress again? Diet? Have you noticed any difference in your heart? If there are any similiarilties in your life and health that you can see again this time around it could help figure out why this is happening. I do hope you can find a resolution to this.

A person inquired about you and a few responded. One, being an Edocrinologist. The first (patient/advocate and the second, an Endocrinologist): I have watched the video. It is apparent to me, that she is suffering (physically and/or pschologically-I'd wager both). It can be seen in her eyes and underneath them. The question could be asked, which came first? Hair loss is normal, we shed over 100 hairs daily but I gather from her video that she went well beyond normal hair loss. Finger nail loss or raising off the beds (in absense of injury) isn't normal. She deserves a full thyroid examination, both physical (neck exam-for which she can do herself: http://www.aace.com/public/awareness/tam...) and thyroid blood labs: TSH, Free T3, Free T4 and antibodies: TPO (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TgAb (thyroglobulin antibodies). Afterwards, she needs a copy of those labs. They will contain her values, as well as reference range. Outside of thyroid, I am aware of a condition (no doubt, there probably are more) that cause nail beds to raise/fall off (outside injury) but I fail to remember the medical cause. In the off-chance that she deals with any future doctor who is reluctant to run blood tests, she can have this done on her own (out of pocket) via: http://www.healthcheckusa.com/ Clicking on "view locations" will reveal labs nearby. I went this route because my [then] doctor wouldn't look into matters, despite advice here. The advice I found here and thanks to healthcheckusa (not requiring doctors orders) revealed a problem. The labs are legitimate. I went to Lab One-the very lab my doctor office uses when we need to ship labs out. I used code 12345 to take 10% off my order. Shipping (lab request, that she will give the lab tech and the mailing lab results) is $12. if I remember correctly. That said, I think she needs copies of her lab work for her own records. Best of luck to you and the woman you are trying to help (kudos for looking out for her). ---- The above response is pretty thorough regarding the thyroid evaluation --certainly worth testing. However, the most common casue of hair loss is stress. Other medical things to test would be testosterone, DHEA, blood counts, iron (ferritin) stores and a good dermatology evaluation -- especially if there are patches of hair loss, not just generalized hair thinning.

40% of women are facing all over the world. The main reason of this problem is Dihyrdo-testosterone (DHT). Treatment of hair loss is Propecia and Rogaine.

Hi Tina

Thank you so much for following up. I have to tell you about my first appointment. It was with an interesting naturopath. He did not look at any blood work or my questionnaire which he had me fill out (didn't want to be prejudiced he said) but rather used his touch to determine the following (a friend gave me the term that refers to this method & several people have sworn by it's accuracy, I just can't recall):
My liver is functioning at 33% which is causing bloating, poor body function & insomnia.
My pituitary needs work
The nail & hair issue is fungal!
I have a hiatal hernia (which he manipulated back into place & I was truly able to breath deeply for the first time in years! I couldn't figure out why I was breathing so shallow)

He stated that some event (s) happened 22 years ago that set the liver issue in motion & later I realized what he was picking up: I came to the US 22 years ago. For the first time I started gaining some weight & discovered a popular liquid diet. I was drinking it regularly at first & then every time I wanted to shed some weight. I kept this up until 3 years ago when a friend found out & made me swear not to touch it again, as her friend's liver had been heavily damaged by the product (traced definitively to it). I quit using it & switched to protein bars. I can see that it very well may have been the root cause & beginning of several issues. He told me that the liver functions mainly during the early hours of 1-4 a.m. & that is exactly when I awake & cannot sleep without sleep aids!

He asked me several times to state the first thing that came to mind when asked what I put in my mouth & finally I replied STARCH & he said that's it. We need to cut that out completely for now until we fix the problem (a basic detox). The yeast that is at the root of the damage is fed by starch & sugar so I am off both for now (positive side: I'll lose some weight!). He prescribed several different supplements/probiotics/cleansers, etc. I have not started on them as I have 2 more appointments (one naturopath & the head of Dermatology at Univ. of WA). I'd like to see what they say.

I am confident he is on to something.