When it comes to detecting health issues, most of us think about blood tests, scans, or physical exams. But what if some early warning signs were literally at your fingertips? According to medical experts, your fingernails can reveal a surprising amount about your internal health. Dr. Emily Hart, a board-certified dermatologist, says that subtle changes in nail color, shape, or texture can be indicators of serious underlying health conditions. Here are 7 health conditions that you can potentially detect just by checking your nails:

1. Anemia. What to look for: Pale or whitish nail beds. Pale nails may be a sign of low red blood cell count, also known as anemia. Anemia is often caused by iron deficiency and can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness. If your nails look unusually pale, especially at the base, it might be time to get your iron levels checked.

2. Liver Disease. What to look for: White nails with darker rims (also known as Terry’s nails) This appearance can be a sign of liver conditions like cirrhosis. The white portion of the nail occurs because of changes in blood flow and protein levels. It may also be accompanied by yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), another tell-tale sign of liver problems.

3. Lung DiseaseW. hat to look for: Clubbing (rounded, bulbous fingertips with downward-curving nails) Clubbing can develop over time and is often associated with chronic lung conditions such as COPD, emphysema, or lung cancer. It occurs due to low oxygen levels in the blood, which causes changes in the shape of the nail and fingertips.

4. Diabetes What to look for: Yellowish nails or slow-growing, thickened nails People with diabetes may notice a yellow tinge to their nails due to sugar binding with collagen proteins. In some cases, fungal infections are more common, especially on toenails, which can thicken and change in color or texture.

5. Thyroid Disorders. What to look for: Brittle, thin, or slow-growing nails. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can affect nail health. In hypothyroidism, nails may become brittle and break easily. In hyperthyroidism, nails may lift off the nail bed (onycholysis) and grow unusually fast.

6. Heart Disease. What to look for: Red nail beds or splinter hemorrhages (tiny red or brown lines under the nails). Redness under the nails may be a sign of heart valve infections like endocarditis. Splinter hemorrhages are small clots that break off and travel to the tiny blood vessels under the nails, sometimes indicating vascular issues.

7. Nutritional Deficiencies. What to look for: Spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia), ridges, or white spots.  Nails that curve upward at the edges (spoon-shaped) can be linked to iron deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency. Horizontal ridges (Beau’s lines) may appear after a serious illness or nutritional disruption. White spots are often harmless but can sometimes signal zinc or calcium deficiencies.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore Nail Clues. “Nails are a window into your overall health,” says Dr. Hart. “While not every change is cause for alarm, persistent or unusual changes in nail appearance should be checked by a healthcare provider.”

So next time you clip your nails or apply polish, take a closer look—you might spot more than just a grooming issue. Your nails could be trying to tell you something important.