Table 2.1 (cont.) Laboratory Tests Related to Eating Disorders Test
Relationship to eating disorders
Zinc
Indicator of nutrition status; deficiency can cause altered sense of taste, difficulty gain- ing weight, and symptoms of depression
Elevated in cases of Excessive supplementation
Decreased in cases of
Malnutrition Vegetarian dietary intake (naturally occurs mainly in animal products)
High alcohol intake Chronic diarrhea Excessive exercise Sickle cell disease Chronic liver disease Post-bariatric surgery
25-Hydroxyvitamin D Test for vitamin D deficiency Excessive supplementation
Inadequate vitamin D intake Inadequate fatty acid intake Lack of exposure to sunlight Malabsorption Liver and kidney diseases Normal use of some med- ications, eg, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and rifampin
