[Megan]

Some time ago I read (possibly on this board) that the moons of the fingernails may either be absent or greatly diminished where a Vit B12 deficiency exists.

My question is: How long does it take for this to improve and the moons to reappear after starting on Vit B12 supplementation such as Methylcobalamin?

[mrsD]

Rose has stated many times, that looking at the moons ONLY is NOT a
reliable test.

I have always had B12's in the 800-900 range, and I only have 3 moons.
In fact I've never had moons except on my thumbs and one finger (the finger that my dad smashed in a car door, when I was 5).

Here is what one website states:

OVERLARGE MOONS
Overactive thyroid; genetics; self-induced trauma (habit tick)

NO MOONS
Underactive thyroid; genetics

Here is a quote from Healthboards:

The 'moon' or 'lunula' you see is actually the leading edge of the matrix, which is where the nail plate cells are born. The moon is most prominent on the thumb nails and can be seen on the index fingers and the middle fingers, but is rarely seen on the ring fingers and (almost) never on the pinky fingers. This is natural!

If one has very thick natural nails, the moon will be more prominent as it developes more nail plate cells the longer it is and the more visible it is. If the nail plate is thin, one will rarely see the lunula (moon) on any of the nails.

If one sees a change in color of the lunula, it can signify an internal disorder that will require a physician to diagnose. Otherwise, not having a prominent lunula does not signify a 'health related' problem.

from http://www.healthboards.com/boards/s...d.php?t=134286

I've looked around on the net today, and on many boards, and I see most people have them only on the thumbs and a finger or two...just like me.

This "moons" issue comes up because a poster from here put that up very aggressively at one time, because SHE saw them change in herself. Just because something works for YOU doesn't mean it can be generalized to everyone.

So I think it is a poor diagnostic predictor.

[DanP]

For what it's worth, I have and have always had, normal looking half-moons on all my fingers and thumbs. Must have good B-12 absorption. LoL

[Megan]

I used to have 'moons' also on all my finger nails then they mysteriously disappeared - lol!

[MelodyL]

I have nice moons too!!!

Just imagine, I never in all my days thought I would ever post this on a message board. That I have nice moons!!!! lol

[hoibie@comcast.net]

Please stop mooning. My grandchildren is looking over my shoulder.

[Brian]

The moons on my fingers have not changed at all from when i was B12 deficient
until now were i am certainly not low on B12.

Brian

[mrsD]

that people who take supplements, and this includes B12, want to SEE a sign
that it/they are working. Drugs typically give signs pretty quickly. Pain relief,
etc.

But some drugs like blood pressure meds do not give signs only side effects.
That is why compliance is poor with them.

We'd like to know that the B12 is working, and it does take a while to see
improvements typically and they are slow in coming. So having some visual sign like "the moons", is appealing. That is why people latch onto it so quickly.

[rose]

Just to reinforce what has been replied here.

Moons do not indicate whether someone is or is not low in B12. In an occasional individual it may be one of the things that change, but presence or absence of moons does not diagnose and does not rule out deficiency.

rose