Hair is mostly rigid protein and responds to the quality and quantity of protein in your diet. Hair thinning gradually increases with age and lower estrogen and testosterone (hormone) levels in the body. Hair loss also increases because of prescriptive drugs like steroids, radiation or chemotherapy used in cancer treatments. When hair loss suddenly increases it can reflect protein - calorie malnutrition which can be caused by inadequate consumption of protein and calories or poor absorption of protein from the intestines. BTW hair analysis is useless in telling what nutrients the body needs.

Nails are similar to hair and I would suspect that your nails have ridges. It takes about 9 months for a nail to grow from the nail bed to the end of your finger. So if you have nail ridges, they will be there until your nail grows out to the end of your finger when you can trim off the ridged nail. Nails most often reflect iron status in your body, but are also effected by protein status and fever.

Considering your history of Crohn's, protein absorption may not be optimal in your remaining small intestine. Protein is absorbed as amino acids in the lower duodenum and the jejunum. Also, lupus causes an increased damage to muscle tissue (protein) which shows up as higher creatinine levels in your blood, which is then excreted in your urine. Go to web site for lupus by Hamline University in St Paul, Minnesota for more information about lupus.

The vitamin shots will not stop your hair loss as vitamin B-12 is not involved in the growth of hair. Vitamin B-12 is absorbed in the small intestine as well, so taking the shots bypasses absorption in the intestinal tract. You may need these shots for the rest of your life. Vitamin B-12 is necessary to free folacin (folic acid) so that folacin can produce mature red blood cells. Vitamin B-12 also functions in maintaining the cover surrounding nerve fibers and a deficiency would cause paralysis of nerves and muscles starting at the hands and feet.

I would suggest you see a Registered Dietitian who has access to your medical charts and can assess your nutritional status. My concern for you is protein absorption which may be improved with a liquid supplement of amino acids depending on what small bowel you have left. Because of a shortened small intestine, you may have vitamin deficiencies which will not be "cured" by vitamin supplements because you may not have the absorption sites for these vitamins in your remaining intestines. A vitamin pill may pass through your intestines and out in stool. You may need other vitamin shots as well because of a shortened small intestine. A dietitian can assess this and I would suggest you make an appointment.

A healthy balanced diet that contains adequate protein and calories appropriate for an individual's height and weight is recommended for persons with lupus. If you start taking steroids to reduce inflammation, then you may need to limit salt and follow a diabetic diet. Steroids increase blood pressure and blood sugar. Also, steroids, depending on the dose, can cause skin to become thinner and bruise more easily.

There is a web site for lupus by Hamline University in St Paul, Minnesota. They have a talk group for persons with lupus and a platform for researchers to share information on new treatments available. The site also has lots of information regarding diagnosis and current treatment.