Height loss at 19

[Sammspiess]

My doctor has been consistently checking my height as I was anorexic and BMI is a big deal in that world. But I’m in recovery and I was measured today and I went from being five foot nine to five food seven, my doctor didn’t know why she measured me multiple times and I have shrunk two inches.. anyone know why this might be happening also a lot of strange things are happening, I’ve been craving salt, my scars are all brown for some reason when they used to be pink and I can’t gain weight although I’m eating upwards of five thousand calories a day

[Wiseman2]

Eating disorders cause all sorts of physical and emotional problems you can discuss with your doctor and therapist.

I have shrunk two inches.. anyone know why this might be happening also a lot of strange things are happening, I’ve been craving salt, my scars are all brown for some reason when they used to be pink and I can’t gain weight although I’m eating upwards of five thousand calories a day

[SarahLancaster]

Possibly bone loss from malnutrition.

[melancholy123]

Maybe you need to see a specialist, ask your doctor for a referral.

[BecxyRex]

What springs to mind is Addison’s disease, when the adrenal glands stop reproducing enough cortisol. It seems that some of the symptoms are weight loss, darkening of the skin in areas and a craving for salt. Maybe mention it to your doctor or do some research, but none of us can diagnose you here. You need to see a specialist.

[Wiseman2]

Have you considered in patient treatment for the eating disorders? It seems you are still struggling with weight and caloric intake issues. Have appropriate testes been done regarding these symptoms?

Are you purging? Is this what you are telling your doctor/parents?:

I can’t gain weight although I’m eating upwards of five thousand calories a day

[Cherylyn]

Check your posture. If you habitually hunch, you'll reduce your height. Straighten up, shoulders out, belly in as you stand and sit. Make this a habit so you won't appear stooped over. It's better for your spine to have good posture.

Ask your doctor if you have weak back muscles and osteoporosis and what you can do about this if you are diagnosed with it.

[katrina1980]

My doctor has been consistently checking my height as I was anorexic and BMI is a big deal in that world. But I’m in recovery and I was measured today and I went from being five foot nine to five food seven, my doctor didn’t know why she measured me multiple times and I have shrunk two inches.. anyone know why this might be happening also a lot of strange things are happening, I’ve been craving salt, my scars are all brown for some reason when they used to be pink and I can’t gain weight although I’m eating upwards of five thousand calories a day

Samm your doctor would have a much better idea of why you're "shrinking" than any of us would.

Also the salt craving, have you told your doctor about this? It suggests you are dehydrated, losing too much water, or not drinking enough, and any good doctor would run tests, including a blood test to determine your electrolyte levels and if they are out of whack, prescribe sodium and potassium supplements and if those didn't help, run more tests to determine why you're losing so much water.

Apologies if this offends, but are you abusing laxatives or purging? I mean you are consuming 5000 calories a day but not gaining? And laxatives would certainly explain the salt craving/dehydration.

Samm, something is not jiving.

Anyway, are you in the U.S.? If so, jeez, the healthcare in this country is just so poor, seek a second opinion if you have to.

None of what you describe is normal, and for you to be reaching out to anonymous posters instead of getting the proper diagnosis and care from your doctors is an abomination and furthers my belief that our healthcare system absolutely sucks!

[catfeeder]

What did your doctor suggest that you do? Call his or her office for a referral to an osteopath.