Symptom: deep fine horizontal and vertical lines on finger tips

YES! I had this. I went to every doc imaginable, like what's wrong with my fingertips? It looked like I was in the bathtub for a full day straight.

Honestly, I believe it's related to the thyroid. Before I got Lyme, this happened before and once I started thyroid meds, it cleared right up. Then a year later it happened again which is when I got bit.

Mine cleared up after taking herbs from my naturopath. When my LLMD used to press on my thyroid, it hurt really bad. After the herbs, when my fingers cleared up, he pushes on it and it doesn't hurt anymore!

Hi Elleon,

What herbs did you help with your thyroid? I believe after my infection I had thyroid problems because I remember being in a state of intense full body inflammation, and it felt like someone was choking my in the throat, I believe that was my thyroid inflammed. I don't have that symptom anymore though.

And yes the lines are mostly straight but some are wavy. I will consider trying some herbs maybe for thyroid to see if they clear up. I still think it has something to do with a breakdown in collagen in the fingertips. Maybe the thyroid has something to do with stimulating metabolism in the body so the lyme breaks down the collagen but then when the thyroid gets back and running the skin metabolism gets kicked back into gear and can replace lost collagen.

Anyone else have the horizontal and vertical lines on their finger tips?

So Opugirl... Yours cleared up?

This has something to do with the proteins elastin and collagen.

I have them also, was wondering about it the other day and showed my husband. Thought it was the weather getting cooler out or my hands being drier and usually have to start using lotion constantly on my hands.

I didn't notice it this summer did you?

kyo07 - Mine aren't just the fingertips - but the rest of my fingers (palm side)

It seems like my skin is loose. I was wondering if it is a blood flow issue...or is it a collagen issue?
My right hand never had it initally, but it does now, too, just not all the time.

Could you post the ranges for those lab results?

Cr3ativegirl - My fingernails have vertical ridges - only since Lyme.

And when I push on my fingers they stay squished for awhile, too!!

Left hand all the time, but right hand only now and then.

So I just quickly checked WE - didn't see Monarda.

I wonder if BioSil would help with the finger lines:

www.gnc.com/BioSil-Advanced-Collagen-Generator-Supplement-Clinically-Tested/product.jsp?productId=4022428

On page 140 of his "Healing Lyme" book, Buhner mentions that Silicon (BioSil) is an essential supplement for Lyme.

Girlie said...
Cd - You started taking BioSil, right?

Yes, I take 5 drops 2x per day. Buhner recommends 6-20 drops daily.

Girlie

I re-read Buhner's Lyme book recently and couldn't believe I missed this on page 140:

"Silicon
Silicon is required for the synthesis of proline and hydroxyproline, both essential in cartilage formation and maintenance. It is also required for the synthesis of glycocaminoglycans where it acts as a cross-linking agent. It is very active in the heart's collagenous tissues. Low levels of silicon have been found in people suffering various forms of heart disease. Silicon is also involved in myelin production and supplementation will help protect and restore damaged myelin sheaths during Lyme infection of the CNS.
Silicon is an essential supplement for Lyme borreliosis.
Dosage: 6-20 drops daily in one-quarter cup of water of a stabilized orthosilicic acid supplement. BioSil is one possible brand of many."

I regret not starting it much, much sooner and plan on taking the stuff for the rest of my life.

Well, kyo07....

Every single cell in our body requires thyroid hormone for proper function and that includes our immune system.

Your hypothyroidism is most likely occurring as a result of your infection(s). I say this because your body isn't yet producing thyroid antibodies (based upon the Thyro Ab and TPO results you shared).

And, that's probably the basis of your doc's comment about Euthyroid Sick Syndrome (and he must be calculating your Rev T3/Free T3 ratio....which doesn't tell as much as some doctors think)

I asked for thyroid hormone replacement back in 2010 and my Free T4 and FreeT3 levels were higher than yours.

Getting the Lyme under control could very well help restore your thyroid function. However, your body is surely struggling to heal as a result of the hypothyroidism. Delayed healing is hallmark for hypothyroidism.

If you had a chance to review that hypothyroidism symptoms list I shared, I think you'll recognize that hypothyroidism can have a negative effect on virtually every body system.

It's all about whether or not you want your body functioning at its best.

Just so you know, liothyronine will only help with your Free T3 level. Your Free T4 level really needs help, too.

If you opt for thyroid hormone replacement, I think you might want to ask for levothyroxine as well as the liothyronine......or something like Armour or NatureThroid with the possible addition of levothyroxine.

For whatever reason, some doctors think we only need T3 (liothyronine), the active hormone. Our bodies need T4 (storage hormone) as well.

Here's some info on that:

www.tiredthyroid.com/rt3-10.html