How do eating disorders affect our hormones?
How you eat and how much you weigh has an important bearing on your hormones.
If you develop an unhealthy eating style, it can greatly affect the hormones that regulate many systems in the body, putting strain on functions designed to preserve energy and protect your essential organs – like metabolism, fertility and stress response.
How do I know if I have an eating disorder?
People with anorexia nervosa are very underweight as a result of extreme dieting or excessive exercise.
In bulimia nervosa, people are normal weight but have cycles of uncontrollable overeating followed by making themselves sick after meals or abusing laxatives to compensate for the food eaten.
People with a binge-eating disorder have frequent episodes of uncontrollable binge eating but do not attempt to compensate for binges through vomiting, fasting or over-exercising. People with binge-eating disorder often become obese.
Which body systems are most affected by eating disorders?
When you have an eating disorder, changes in your hormone levels can have a significant impact on your physical and psychological wellbeing; and affect important systems including:
Metabolism – hormones influence our overall growth and development – including bone growth, onset of puberty, fertility, level of alertness, sugar regulation and appetite. Changes in metabolism are part of the body’s appropriate response to starvation as it tries to save energy.
Stress response – eating disorders can stimulate the production of ‘stress hormones’ including cortisol, growth hormone and noradrenaline. These can lead to sleep problems, and feeling anxious or depressed.
Fertility – changes in reproductive hormones can have an impact on the onset and regularity of periods; and affect libido in men and women.
Cardiovascular system – compulsive overeating usually leads to obesity, which puts strain on all the systems of the body and leads to higher risk factors for many diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
What are other complications arise from eating disorders and hormones?
There are many health risks associated with the hormone changes associated with eating disorders.
Osteoporosis - When an eating disorder starts in early years, it can alter the hormones involved in puberty and growth. Puberty may be delayed and bones may fail to grow, leading to stunted growth and brittle bones (osteoporosis) later in life. Read more about osteoporosis and metabolic bone disorders.
Dry skin and digestion problems - Eating disorders can also lead to low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism). You might often feel cold and complain of constipation or dry skin.
Irregular periods and fertility - Unhealthy eating styles can lead to changes in reproductive hormones. In women, periods may become irregular or stop altogether; while men may lose their sex drive or have erectile problems. Usually hormones return to normal levels once eating is back to normal. Most pregnant women who have recovered from eating disorders have healthy pregnancies.
Obesity - Obesity causes an increase in hormone levels that encourages the body to increase body fat, making it even harder to lose weight. Read more about obesity and metabolic disorders.
How can an endocrinologist help?
Being mindful of diet and exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, however, it’s important to understand what can happen to your body if your behaviour or relationship with food becomes more extreme.
We understand you likely feel exhausted and worried about what any treatments will involve.
Our endocrinologists are expert in understanding how changes in hormone levels affect the body and how medication or other treatment can help you feel better. They will also monitor your through your recovery to ensure your hormone systems normalise.
Our team includes qualified clinical psychologists and accredited practising dietitians to help guide you and offer support along the way.