Eating Disorder Treatment Help: Medical Tests for Eating Disorders - RainRock™ Eating Disorder Education
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Eating Disorder Education
What medical tests are done for persons with eating disorders?

Along with vital signs such as temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and weight, here are some other tests that are generally recommended:
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
  • Chem-20 panel: Measures electrolyes, liver, kidney, and pancreatic function.
  • Sma-7 or electrolytes: Usually done with Chem-20 but sometimes alone.
  • Magnesium and phosphorous levels
  • Serum amylase: Indicates pancreatic function and possibly purging.
  • Thyroid and parathyroid panel: indicates level of metabolic function.
  • Hormone levels
  • EKG: Measures heart function.
  • Chest X-ray
  • Lower esophageal sphincter pressure studies for reflux
  • Lactose deficiency tests
  • Total bowel transit time
  • Protein and iron deficiency tests
  • Bone mineral density test

  1. What is anorexia nervosa?
  2. What is bulimia?
  3. What is an eating disorder?
  4. What are some of the medical complications of eating disorders (Anorexia, bulimia)?
  5. What is Binge Eating Disorder?
  6. Do Males also get Eating Disorders?
  7. I have heard that people with eating disorders often have other problems and diagnoses. What are they?
  8. What is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
  9. What medical tests are done for persons with eating disorders?
  10. How are eating disorders treated?
  11. Can a person recover from an eating disorder?
  12. What if I have another condition like Diabetes, or Alcohol/Chemical Dependency?




An excerpt from 100 Questions & Answers About Eating Disorders Carolyn Costin, LMFT, MA, MEd
Carolyn Costin is the founder and clinical director of The rainrock Treatment Centers