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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Correct Method To Check Body Mass Index?

Hi im a 5 foot 3 18 year old female & weigh about 103-104 lbs & i have a check up in a couple days at the doctors to go to. i was wondering can a blood test show if you are underweight/ have eating disorder related issues? i dont think i have an eating disorder, but my family does & the last time i got weighed at the doctors i was 110-115 lbs. Like my periods are still irregular, but i told my older sister they were fine. will it show on a blood test if my periods are skipping also?
Mon, 7 Jul 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Body mass index is calculated based on height and weight. Charts are available where you look for those numbers and then it tells you your BMI. On the internet you can go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/BMI/bmicalc.htm and there is a calculator to figure it out. Based on a weight of 103, you are underweight; at 110 you are in the lower end of the normal range. There is no blood test to tell if you have an eating disorder. Certain screening blood tests may be abnormal in eating disorders that may suggest the possibility. If you are skipping periods, there are specific blood tests that can be ordered to see WHY you are skipping periods, but there is no blood test that screens for whether or not you are having them at your age. You have to give the information you are skipping periods so they will know exactly what test to order. It is possible they might order these tests if they suspect you are anorexic, because that can cause abnormalities in the hormones. I have to wonder what you are hiding about your condition since you told your sister your periods were okay when they aren't. Hope this helps. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
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What Is The Correct Method To Check Body Mass Index?

Body mass index is calculated based on height and weight. Charts are available where you look for those numbers and then it tells you your BMI. On the internet you can go to http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/BMI/bmicalc.htm and there is a calculator to figure it out. Based on a weight of 103, you are underweight; at 110 you are in the lower end of the normal range. There is no blood test to tell if you have an eating disorder. Certain screening blood tests may be abnormal in eating disorders that may suggest the possibility. If you are skipping periods, there are specific blood tests that can be ordered to see WHY you are skipping periods, but there is no blood test that screens for whether or not you are having them at your age. You have to give the information you are skipping periods so they will know exactly what test to order. It is possible they might order these tests if they suspect you are anorexic, because that can cause abnormalities in the hormones. I have to wonder what you are hiding about your condition since you told your sister your periods were okay when they aren t. Hope this helps. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.