Distinctive nail pattern following androgen replacement therapy

Abstract

Introduction A distinctive nail pattern in a patient undergoing androgen replacement therapy is presented hereby. Case presentation A 47‐year‐old male patient noticed a peculiar “washboard‐like” pattern on his fingernails. He had been undergoing androgen replacement therapy for late onset hypogonadism syndrome. The patient realized his nails were growing faster after his therapy was altered from a tri‐weekly basis to a bi‐weekly basis. Conclusion This phenomenon is likely to be attributed to the androgen replacement therapy, as the spacing between the ridges were widening in concordance with the strengthening of the therapy.

Keywords

• androgen
• hormone replacement therapy
• late onset hypogonadism syndrome
• nails