ENDOCRINAL GLANDS
Patients with anorexia nervosa have a number of abnormalities in endocrine function. Secretion rates of cortisol are generally elevated,and metabolic clearance rates are decreased, with the result that the half-life of cortisol may be prolonged in malnourished individuals. The clinical significance of this elevated cortisol level is unknown, but it may be involved with loss of bone density in anorexia nervosa(Lo Sauro et al., 2008).
Alterations in growth hormone are also present in anorexia nervosa. Levels are more often elevated, but levels of insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) are decreased, indicative of growth hormone resistance. Antidiuretic hormone levels may also be low in anorexia nervosa which may rarely result …show more content…
In some patients with anorexia nervosa, amenorrhea occurs only after more marked weight loss. Overall, the development of amenorrhea is most strongly correlated to loss of body weight. So patients with anorexia nervosa have difficulty conceiving, but patients with anorexia nervosa may ovulate and become pregnant despite their amenorrhea. Overall, the incidence of infertility is increased in anorexia nervosa due to the amenorrhea and decreased libido. If pregnancy does occur, there is also a higher rate of pregnancy complications and neonatal complications. Increased numbers of miscarriages have also been reported in anorexia nervosa (Linnaet al., …show more content…
Anorexia nervosa should be considered in the differential for unexplained bradycardia in the outpatient setting. In addition, resting tachycardia is highly unusual and may be indicative of a superimposed infection or other complication .Heightened vagal tone has been suggested as the cause of bradycardia in the setting of anorexia nervosa. Low blood pressure and heart rate universally increase to normal levels after refeeding and restoration of normal weight (Yahalom et al.,
Patients with anorexia nervosa have a number of abnormalities in endocrine function. Secretion rates of cortisol are generally elevated,and metabolic clearance rates are decreased, with the result that the half-life of cortisol may be prolonged in malnourished individuals. The clinical significance of this elevated cortisol level is unknown, but it may be involved with loss of bone density in anorexia nervosa(Lo Sauro et al., 2008).
Alterations in growth hormone are also present in anorexia nervosa. Levels are more often elevated, but levels of insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) are decreased, indicative of growth hormone resistance. Antidiuretic hormone levels may also be low in anorexia nervosa which may rarely result …show more content…
In some patients with anorexia nervosa, amenorrhea occurs only after more marked weight loss. Overall, the development of amenorrhea is most strongly correlated to loss of body weight. So patients with anorexia nervosa have difficulty conceiving, but patients with anorexia nervosa may ovulate and become pregnant despite their amenorrhea. Overall, the incidence of infertility is increased in anorexia nervosa due to the amenorrhea and decreased libido. If pregnancy does occur, there is also a higher rate of pregnancy complications and neonatal complications. Increased numbers of miscarriages have also been reported in anorexia nervosa (Linnaet al., …show more content…
Anorexia nervosa should be considered in the differential for unexplained bradycardia in the outpatient setting. In addition, resting tachycardia is highly unusual and may be indicative of a superimposed infection or other complication .Heightened vagal tone has been suggested as the cause of bradycardia in the setting of anorexia nervosa. Low blood pressure and heart rate universally increase to normal levels after refeeding and restoration of normal weight (Yahalom et al.,