By: Dr. Melanie Schorr M.D., MGH Neuroendocrine Unit
Bone loss is an important health concern in Anorexia Nervosa because it is common and can be severe. Most women with a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa have bone loss, which can result in bones as brittle and fragile as a 70-year-old woman. Brittle and fragile bones are at much higher risk of fracturing. You may not know you have bone loss until after you break a bone. Osteopenia and osteoporosis are the medical terms for significant bone loss.
What can I do for my bone health?
Although some bone loss can be reversed with weight recovery, osteopenia and osteoporosis may be a long-term complication of anorexia nervosa. Good nutrition, including calcium and vitamin D, is important, as is having regular menstrual cycles and not over-exercising. Bone loss can be assessed by measuring bone mineral density on a DEXA scan, which is a test similar to an x-ray.
How can I learn more?
The Massachusetts General Hospital Neuroendocrine Unit is working to further medical knowledge about bone health and treatment of bone loss in women with a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Melanie Schorr, MD at 617-726-3897, mschorr1@mgh.harvard.edu, or Erinne Meenaghan, NP at
617-724-7393, emeenaghan@mgh.harvard.edu.