Anorexia's Devastating Physical Effects: Malnutrition, Heart Problems, Electrolyte Imbalance, and More

Anorexia nervosa (restrictive type) starves every organ system. Key complications:

Malnutrition & Metabolic

• Anemia (iron, B12, folate deficiency)
• Osteoporosis/osteopenia (low estrogen, low weight, high cortisol)
• Sarcopenia (muscle wasting, including cardiac muscle)
• Refeeding syndrome risk (hypophosphatemia, fluid shifts, cardiac failure)

Cardiovascular

• Bradycardia, hypotension, orthostatic intolerance
• Arrhythmias (QTc prolongation, electrolyte-driven)
• Pericardial effusion, cardiomyopathy
• Sudden cardiac death (leading cause of mortality)

Electrolyte & Endocrine

• Hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia
• Amenorrhea (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism)
• Low T3 (euthyroid sick syndrome), cortisol dysregulation

Gastrointestinal

• Gastroparesis, constipation, superior mesenteric artery syndrome
• GERD, gastric atrophy, elevated liver enzymes

Neurological & Dermatologic

• Brain volume loss (reversible with weight restoration)
• Depression, anxiety, OCD traits, cognitive rigidity
• Lanugo, xerosis, acrocyanosis, hair thinning, brittle nails

Early multidisciplinary treatment (medical, nutritional, psychiatric) saves lives.