Anorexia and the kidneys

What do the kidneys do?

The kidneys perform many essential functions for the body to operate properly. Their main jobs are to:¹¹

• Maintain the right balance of fluids 
• Remove waste materials and toxins 
• Help regulate blood pressure
• Help make red blood cells
• Help keep bones healthy
• Help control pH levels

Prolonged restricting (starvation), binging, and purging results in extreme vitamin deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, and dehydration.⁴ A lack of vitamins, minerals, and fluid keeps the kidneys from functioning properly and can result in life-threatening medical complications.¹²

Anorexia and kidney stones

Kidney stones remain one of the most common complications of eating disorders, especially when it comes to anorexia and kidney stones. They are composed of either ammonium urate or calcium oxalate crystals, which build up when the kidneys can’t flush out waste and toxins from the body.

Sudden flank pain that radiates to the groin, nausea/vomiting, brown or bloody urine, and painful urination all mean kidney stones could be present. These signs can be alarming, but kidney stones usually pass within a few days.

In more severe cases, if the stone does not pass within a few days, a physician can order an x-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound and prescribe treatment based on the type, frequency, and size of the stone(s).^1,10

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Acute kidney injury (AKI)

Acute kidney injury (AKI) involves a decline in kidney function that can be deadly but usually improves with prompt and proper treatment. AKIs are common in those who suffer from anorexia and bulimia. A 2021 study involving 395 hospitalized children with AN or BN (average age 14.6) found that 36.8% had subsequent kidney impairment.^2,4

Dehydration, blood pressure issues, toxins, poor nutrition intake, diuretics/laxative misuse, urine obstruction (as from kidney stones), and electrolyte abnormalities (as from excessive vomiting) are all characteristic of those who have anorexia and bulimia and can cause AKIs.  But most people improve with proper medical attention, which involves proper hydration and blood pressure normalization.²

Acute kidney injury (AKI), and rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis (commonly referred to as rhabdo) is a serious medical condition that may be related to excessive exercise and can contribute to AKI. Heavy vomiting and diarrhea can also trigger cellular breakdown and toxin release, such as myoglobin, into the bloodstream. Myoglobin damages the filtering proteins within the kidneys. Symptoms include:

• Unexplained thirst
• Muscle pains
• Difficulty moving
• Dark urine

This can be very serious but is easily treated with hospitalization for IV fluids.³

Anorexia and chronic kidney disease

While CKD prevalence and pathology are not clearly understood for AN and BN, some potential causes include chronic states of inflammation, chronic dehydration, low potassium, or high serum calcium levels resulting from starvation, binging, and purging, and can seriously damage kidney function.^4,5

CKD symptoms are not typically felt or noticed for decades after the progression of the disease. But symptoms such as generalized swelling (edema) and reduced urine output will indicate something is wrong, and it’s time to seek medical treatment.^6,7

Electrolyte imbalances

The kidneys regulate almost all electrolyte concentrations within the body. Electrolytes are minerals, such as sodium, calcium, and potassium, found in blood, tissues, urine, and other bodily fluids that play an important role in regulating many body functions.

The delicate balance of electrolytes in the body keeps the body operating in a healthy homeostatic state. If one electrolyte serum level changes, the kidneys automatically increase or decrease other electrolytes to keep everything running smoothly.

Excessive vomiting, for example, causes a loss of potassium. The kidneys will try to compensate for the potassium loss by changing sodium and magnesium concentrations. If serum potassium becomes too high or low, it affects the heart. Electrolyte imbalances can lead to many other health concerns, including irregular heartbeats, muscle cramps, and brain fog.^5,6,7

Pseudo-Bartter syndrome

Bartter syndrome is a genetic kidney disease that causes electrolyte abnormalities. Pseudo-Bartter syndrome is similar to Bartter syndrome but occurs when someone vomits excessively or misuses diuretics (water pills), laxatives, or enemas. This causes swelling and significant water retention in the body. If you or someone you love experiences these symptoms, you should see a physician.⁷

Acid/base disorders

The body is a finely tuned machine built to maintain a healthy acid-base balance of around 7. Depriving the body of essential nutrients and fluids can throw off the body’s pH and result in serious medical complications. Severely restricting food and liquid intake, vomiting, and using laxatives or diuretics can significantly damage the kidneys and body.  

Signs and symptoms of kidney disease

Many signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia are also signs and symptoms of kidney disease. They include:⁹

• Dehydration
• Low blood pressure
• Low body temperature
• Low muscle mass and body fat
• Minimal body fat
• Heavy, labored breathing
• Nausea/vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Tooth decay
• Sparse, thin, dry hair

Depriving the body of food, fluids, and essential vitamins and minerals over a long period, which tends to occur in those with anorexia and bulimia, can do serious, permanent damage to the kidneys (e.g., renal failure, end-stage renal disease). It can result in acute kidney injury (AKI)  in the short-term and chronic kidney disease (CKD) over the long term. It can even result in kidney failure (irreversible kidney disease) and require dialysis for the rest of a person’s life. 

But kidney disease usually takes a few years to develop and can be treated if caught in the early stages. If you suspect you or someone you love might have kidney disease, please seek medical help. For help in the treatment of eating disorders, call our team today to learn about the first steps.