Anorexia Nervosa - Exams and Tests
There is no single test that can diagnose anorexia. But this illness has a visible effect on your health and eating habits.
If your doctor thinks that you may have an eating disorder, he or she will check you for signs of malnutrition or starvation. Your doctor may also ask questions about your mental well-being. It is common for a treatable mental health problem (such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) to play a part in an eating disorder.
Common exams and tests for a possible eating disorder include:
- A medical history of your physical and emotional health, present and past.
- A physical exam, including checking your heart, lungs, blood pressure, weight, mouth, skin, and hair for problems from malnutrition.
- Screening questions about your eating habits and how you feel about your health.
- A mental health assessment, to check for depression or anxiety.
- Blood tests, to check for signs of malnutrition.
- X-rays, which can show whether your bones have been weakened (osteopenia) by malnutrition.
If your doctor thinks that you may have organ damage, doing heart or kidney tests can be helpful.
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