Clinician handoff
Eating Disorders
Designed for a 60-second scan in primary care. Use this to explain why this theory fits, what would weaken it, and which tests are most worth discussing.
Why this still fits
I've been experiencing cognitive difficulties - brain fog, poor concentration, difficulty with word retrieval - that I believe are related to my eating history. I'd like to discuss targeted lab work to identify nutritional deficiencies that might be contributing, and I'd appreciate a referral to an eating disorder specialist if I don't already have one.
What would weaken it
- -Fog clearly predates eating disorder by years
- -No improvement with consistent adequate nutrition over 4+ weeks
- -Strong family history of ADHD or thyroid disease with matching symptoms
- -Fog pattern doesn't correlate with eating or restriction at all
Tests and measurements to discuss
Complete blood count (CBC)
Iron panel with ferritin
What this helps clarify: Iron storage marker that can affect energy, focus, and cognition.
Range context
40-100 ng/mL
How to use the result
Save the result with date and symptoms from the same week.
Thiamine (vitamin B1)
Vitamin B12 and folate
What this helps clarify: Patient-facing vitamin B12 explainer route, useful when a story or clinician uses plain language instead of the active-B12 variant.
Range context
Lab context
How to use the result
Save the result with date and symptoms from the same week.
Zinc
Vitamin D (25-OH)
What this helps clarify: Patient-facing vitamin D explainer route matching the common 25-OH wording used in lab and search language.
Range context
Lab context
How to use the result
Save the result with date and symptoms from the same week.
Comprehensive metabolic panel (electrolytes, kidney, liver)
Magnesium (RBC magnesium preferred)
What this helps clarify: Intracellular magnesium - serum levels miss deficiency
Range context
5.0–6.5 mg/dL
How to use the result
Save the result with date and symptoms from the same week.
Phosphate
Thyroid panel (TSH, free T4 - malnutrition affects thyroid)
What this helps clarify: This panel helps frame whether the story fits thyroid slowdown, conversion issues, or a closer competitor cause before you default to broad lifestyle explanations.
Range context
Panel context
How to use the result
Ask which thyroid number best fits the way your fog shows up day to day.
Peer-reviewed references