Anyone Else Planning Nutrition?

[EvenStrongerNow]

Okay, I will seek out a dietician. I didn't realize it was that serious. I was just trying to learn how to eat better. I've always been naturally thin no matter how much I eat, but maybe there is more to it than I thought.

I was never anorexic. Are you giving me advice based on that assumption?

 

[NovemberStar]

I was never anorexic. Are you giving me advice based on that assumption?

No - it's the same for anyone who is malnourished and / or underweight. I'm REALLY surprised your Endocrinologist hasn't made the link between your low body weight and no period. Estrogen is fat soluable and needs both fat stores (on your body) as well as fat in your diet (ie intake) in order for your body to produce enough and therefore have a period.
I'm also surprised your doctor has not done a range of blood tests (or has she or he??) to check electrolytes and things such as thyroid - an over-active thyroid can result in weight loss. As could a host of things.

Definitely seek someone very qualified. My consultant psychiatrist (not specialised in eating disorders) snorted at me when I told her my fears about re-feeding syndrome. I thought that showed she didn't know what it was - I asked her and she said she did know what it was, but never took me seriously :mad:.

 

[Deleted member 19804]

I agree that a dietician would be best, but I don't think it's of vital importance. Since you've never had an eating disorder and you're only doing this because you want to have a 'healthier' weight, I don't think you really need any kind of doctor to take you by the hand here.

I have battled eating disorders (mainly anorexia) for about seven years and I have by now learned almost all that one can learn about food and calories, haha! ;) So I'll give you some food ideas that seem to work for me and/or I know are recommended for people who want to gain weight the healthy way.

- healthy milkshakes (fresh milk and low fat yoghurt mixed with fruit and sugar)
- whole-wheat bread
- healthy cereal, as a snack on its own or combined with a dairy product
- soy products
- bananas and other high-fiber fruits
- icecream
- a few extra snack moments a day
- various kinds of nuts
- eating 10-20% more of your main meals of the day
- drinking fruit juice or milk instead of water and tea

There is absolutely no reason to hurry the weight-gain, so choose your own pace. Just try to make sure you get all the nutrition you need and to not lose any more weight. Keep doing what you like to do and try to find what works best for you. You'll be fine :)

 

[NovemberStar]

@Snowwhite - whether or not an eating disorder is the cause of someone being underweight there are nonetheless potentially serious medical issues associated with being underweight - much like those of us with anorexia. Her oestrogen is so low she hasn't had a period; so she would be at risk of bone depletion. She MIGHT also be at risk of re-feeding syndrome, which can happen at any weight, all that is needed is significantly reduced intake for as little as 5 days for the body to go into major disfunction when re-introducing a higher intake. Not to mention malnourishment (anaemia, low b12) etc).

I wasn't recommending a doctor in terms of psychological help - more about the medical risks she might be exposed too, from her low weight. And clearly there are already some medical issues given lack of period and seeing an endocrinologist.

 

[intothelight]

@EvenStrongerNow

@NovemberStar is correct about going to see a physician and getting a full physical and complete blood work up. There may be deficiencies that have to be addressed in more than just a dietary change, that are critical for your body to function properly. Once your physician has the results they can even help refer you to a dietitian that can help you design a diet that will meet your individual needs, tastes and lifestyle. It is also important to keep everyone in the loop so you truly get a team approach and it would be a good idea to share this with your therapist as there is a lot of stress with any type of change.

When a person is severely deficient, it isn't just about the calories, but what vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, etc. that you are ingesting and the combination that is best for your bodies healing. As you approach your goal weight then it is a good idea to see what changes need to be made to meet your own personal goals and to help with maintenance. Again, a dietitian who has been working with you all along is wonderful resource.

 

[NovemberStar]

@EvenStrongerNow

http://www.patient.co.uk/blogs/sara...ssues---the-other-end-of-the-obesity-spectrum

Being underweight makes depression worse (in addition to the many other medical risks). It would be important for your Dr to do a full set of blood work to rule out more serious diseases (thyroid for example) as a cause of your weight loss.

 

[Deleted member 19804]

@NovemberStar sorry, I didn't see that post of @EvenStrongerNow . In that case, I completely agree with you; the help of a dietician and/or GP is necessary and very important.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

@NovemberStar I didn't start losing weight until after my menses already stopped. I started losing my appetite in January of this year. I was at a healthy weight before that. I updated another post on this forum. I got a primary care doctor to start coordinating everything for me. She drew some blood to take a more comprehensive look at my thyroid levels because the endo only did a basic check--which she was so surprised about since I have two aunts with Hashimotos disease....also she drew more blood to check my vitamin levels. She also prescribed me some Lexapro 10mg. I go to see a Reproductive endo on the 23rd to evaluate ovaries and uterus further. My periods stopped in the same fashion in 2010 and I was at 135 lbs, well within healthy BMI so I don't think my weight has anything to do with the stopping of my menses.[DOUBLEPOST=1404952781,1404952603][/DOUBLEPOST]I totally agree with your suggestions. This is why I saw a primary care doctor today--to have a whole team behind me...someone to see the bigger picture rather than seeing specialists only with a narrow focus.

 

[NovemberStar]

That's great you're having more comprehensive testing. Hopefully they will come up with some answers for you and a way forward to health. As we all know, its vital to know exactly what we are dealing with, in order to get the best treatment ;). And any advice we can give on here won't of course take into account any underlying medical issues you might have. A full comprehensive medical and testing will hopefully show your Dr exactly WHAT nutritional advice to give you. Especially if there are underlying medical issues, then you might need to go onto a specialized nutritional plan.

Hope you get some answers soon.