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Anorexia nervosa can be a difficult disorder to diagnose, since individuals with anorexia often attempt to hide the disorder. Denial and secrecy frequently accompany other symptoms. It is unusual for an individual with anorexia to seek professional help because the individual typically does not accept that she or he has a problem (denial). In many cases, the actual diagnosis is not made until medical complications have developed.

The individual is often brought to the attention of a professional by family members only after marked weight loss has occurred. When anorexics finally come to the attention of the health-care professional, they often lack insight into their problem despite being severely malnourished and may be unreliable in terms of providing accurate information. Therefore, it is often necessary to obtain information from parents or other family members in order to evaluate the degree of weight loss and extent of the disorder. Health professionals will sometimes administer questionnaires for anorexia as part of screening for the disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa Medical Tests:

1.Psychological evaluation: A doctor or mental health provider can assess thoughts, feelings and eating habits. Psychological self-assessments and questionnaires also are used.

2.Laboratory tests:These may include a complete blood count (CBC), as well as more specialized blood tests to check electrolytes and protein as well as functioning of your liver, kidney and thyroid. A urinalysis also may be done.

3.Physical exam:This may include measuring your height and weight; checking your vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and temperature; checking your skin and nails for dryness or other problems; listening to your heart and lungs; and examining your abdomen.

4.Other studies. X-rays may be taken to check for broken bones, pneumonia or heart problems. Electrocardiograms may be done to look for heart irregularities. Bone density testing may be done to check your bone health. Testing may also be done to determine how much energy your body uses, which can help in planning nutritional requirements.

A diagnosis of anorexia nervosa is not made until other causes of weight loss are ruled out. For example, extreme weight loss could be due to:

Anorexia Nervosa Diagnosis:

1.Inflammatory bowel disease
2.Celiac disease
3.Addison’s disease
4.Other metabolic, endocrine, digestive, or nervous system disorders

Tests will be done to help determine the cause of weight loss, or what damage the weight loss has caused. These tests may include:

1.Urinalysis
2.Thyroid function tests
3.LH response to GnRH
4.ECG
5.Chem-20
6.In women who’ve started having periods, the absence of a period for at least three consecutive menstrual cycles.
7.Denying the seriousness of having a low body weight, or having a distorted image of your appearance or shape.
8.Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though you’re underweight.
9.Refusal to maintain a body weight that is at or above the minimum normal weight for your age and height.

This disorder is very complicated and cannot be identified easily. People with anorexia nervosa do not accept that they have such a disorder, until some medical complication arises. The symptoms are actually the only means to diagnose the disorder. Since it’s not easy to prevent this disorder, keeping an eye out on friends or family that has low self-esteem or extreme-dieting issues may be the only way to prevent it from getting out of hand.