Demi, I know that money is an issue for you, but if you could possibly afford to come up with about $40, you would learn so much by buying and reading Andy Cutler's book, Amalgam Illness, Diagnosis and Treatment. The things you describe regarding your nails and your hair are indicative of endocrine problems. Mercury interferes with our endocrine function. Andy Cutler explains these things very extensively in his book. You see, when you are mercury toxic, things like your thyroid and your adrenal glands are usually stressed and not working properly. This is why you get the hair and nail changes. Most people who have a thyroid and adrenal test with an endocrinologist will test normal (meaning that their body is producing the proper amount of hormones) however, when you are poisoned with mercury, mercury interferes with these hormones and how they work in the body by attaching to them. Thus, most of us could benefit from some thyroid support and adrenal support, even if our lab tests are normal. Andy's book is so informative and explains so much about what mercury does to us. He gives many recommendations on things to take for specific needs and conditions. Personally, I would not have survived without his book. His supplement recommendations have helped me tremendously. I have such poor endocrine function because of my mercury poisoning that I finally went to an endocrinologist and brought him information and made him listen to me. He ran a bunch of tests including 24 hour urine cortisol test to see how my adrenals are working. I know that my adrenals are all messed up because of my chronic debilitating fatigue. I am waiting for the results of this test. If they come back normal, I am going to beg him for some hydrocortisone.

Sandra