GASTROENTEROLOGY COMMUNITY
Normal LFT, Normal ultra sound, Terry's Nails?

Normal LFT, Normal ultra sound, Terry's Nails?

I have what appears to be Terry's Nails or "half and half nails" on most of my fingers. I noticed them several years ago and since have had 3 full physicals. All LFT tests (including the rest of my blood work) came back normal though I was sent for an ultra-sound due to upper right abdominal pain. This showed a benign cyst about 1 inch in diameter, otherwise the liver was of normal size and appearance. The doctor said the cyst isn't large enough to cause symptoms and the pain is likely from my gall bladder, not my liver. He wasn't impressed by my nail discoloration and not concerned about liver disease (which he expressly indicated). Still, my nails become more profound over time. I'm 35 yrs old and have a history of heavy drinking which I fully devulged to my physician. Of course he told me to drink less alcohol but never seemed alarmed (I drink about a 6 pack a day, 5 to 6 days a week).

I'm very active and probably appear to be in prime shape (lean with good muscle tone). My blood work has always been normal with optimal cholestoral (low LDL/high HDL) and blood pressure. I get the feeling that because of this the doctor may be overlooking my concerns. From everything I've read Terry's Nails are almost always an indication of a serious systemic disease (namely liver or kidney). How concerned should I be? My doctor said if it was caused by liver/kideny issues my blood tests would not be normal. I hate to 2nd guess him and I do think he's a great doctor. I just can't put this concern to rest.
Related Discussions
627145_tn?1230309226
One other possible cause of this problem is a nutritional deficiency.  One cause of liver disease is nutritional deficiency associated with alcoholism.  

Maybe your nails are trying to tell you that you are not eating properly because you are drinking most of your calories.  Maybe if you make changes now you can spare your liver permanent damage.  

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/2343.htm

http://www.nutramed.com/alcohol/alcoholneg.htm
Blank
Have a Gastro question?
100,000+ doctor answers
Post a Comment
To
Comment
Post A Comment
Go
Blank
Gastro Tracker
Log symptoms & treatments
Start Tracking Now
Blank
Food Diary Tracker
What are you eating?
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Top Digestive Answerers
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
patient915
CA
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
mammo
Cincinnati, OH
Avatar_n_tn
Blank
CalGal
681148_tn?1285160820
Blank
FurballsMom
168348_tn?1333651418
Blank
ChitChatNine
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
Sechmeth
Christchurch, New Zealand
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia reduces...
May 03 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank