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Anorexia/Eating Disorders/Recovered from ED - osteopenia and hair loss

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Expert: Jeanne Rust, PhD - 3/9/2011


Question
I have been in recovery from anorexia and over exercise for the past few years. Although I took a few months off from exercise to return to a normal weight, my exercise has increased over the years. I work out 5-6 times a week, 45-55 minutes of cardio each time and weight training three of the days. I am eating around 2400 calories but I know I'm not eating enough fat.

I have had severe hair loss since my ED began, and I know my ferritin is extremely low (7) as is my leptin; however, I am not anemic. I had a bone scan done in October 2010 and nothing had improved since 2005. I still have osteopenia. I just turned 26 and I am so worried about my bone density and what I should do about it.

I have been on birth control since 2008, so I am not sure if I would get a period without it. I also take a multivitamin, fish oil, and calcium. Because of bloating and constipation problems, iron has been difficult to consume. I am 5'7'', 130-132 pounds.

Do you have any advice for me about healing my bones and regaining my hair?

Thanks so much.

Answer

Jeanne Rust, PhD
Dear Erin,

It seems to me that you are doing all of the right things except eating enough, just as you said!  If you were to simply add some fat to your diet, starting out with 2-3 tablespoons a day, it would be a great start.  Also if you were to do less cardio, maybe only 3-4 times a week and more weight bearing exercise, you'd be able to strengthen your bones.

Recovery from osteopenia can be a lengthy process.  But definitely more calories, more fat, more weight training, and less cardio.  Now I can tell from your note that one of the things that will possibly happen is that your eating disorder can be triggered.  You're still doing some restricting and eating no fat -- this can be the cause of hair loss.

Let's see if you can become completely recovered, instead of only 80% recovered.  Does that make sense?

Let's exchange some notes for a bit and see where this goes.  I apologize for taking so long to answer you but I've had the flu -- argh......

I'll look forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,
Jeanne Rust, PhD
CEO/Founder
Mirasol, Inc.
www.mirasol.net
www.edrecovery.com
888-520-1700  

Jeanne Rust, PhD

Expertise

I have been treating eating disorders for over 25 years and I have a doctorate in clinical psychology. I am an expert in anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders and in co-occurring disorders as well -- depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. I was the official eating disorder therapist for the University of Arizona athletic department and love working with girls and women of all ages! 12 years ago I started my own treatment centers in Arizona where we treat adolescents and adults. I love working with people and have been helping people online since 1994. My hearts go out to the people out there who are unable to find help, who aren't sure whether they need help, and who don't have much of an understanding of the terrible consequences, emotionally and physically, that go hand in hand with the eating disorder. I view eating disorders as coping mechanisms that people use when they are under stress. I believe that eating disorders most times have many similarities whether it is anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. The good news is that people can heal from an eating disorder and learn to create the lives they would like to live.

Experience

I have 25 years of experience in treating eating disorders of all kinds. I also do consultations for people who are starting treatment centers.

Education/Credentials
Northwestern University -- BA Masters in Counseling Doctorate in Clinical Psychology -- Saybrook institute

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