Eating disorders wreak havoc on the human body. Again, I am not a doctor. So I will only be speaking about the effects of my eating disorder on my body. Aside from the immediate impact I had previously discussed, I also suffer from several long-term health problems. These problems are not as severe as they could be. I am incredibly grateful for that. But they are enough to make me realize how detrimental these extreme measures can be.
The first adverse effect I began to see (and continue to experience) was tooth decay. This one is not complicated. When you force yourself to throw up, the acids from your stomach degrade the teeth. I spent a long time lying to dentists claiming I had acid reflux. None of them have outright called me out. But for a while, I was lucky if I left the dentist’s office after a check-up with less than 3 cavities. I experience extreme sensitivity and, generally, brittleness with my teeth. The color has degraded, and I have small gaps and breaks. This seems relatively mild. But it causes extreme discomfort and annoyance. Not to mention dental bills are not cheap.
I’ve also had some nasty effects on my liver. I visited a doctor in 2018 during the height of my bulimia. The doctor performed several blood tests that revealed elevated levels of ALT and AST, markers for several possible illnesses, including hepatitis c and fatty liver. I took tests, underwent ultrasounds, and returned to the office numerous times. Nothing came back positive. The only conclusion the doctor came to was that my purging and calorie depletion combined with excess activity had begun degrading my liver. I’ve since been able to keep these levels under control. But I’m not convinced that this is an issue that won’t present itself later in life. It’s legitimately unsettling.
I really hope my other vital organs didn’t sustain any effects. Bulimia specifically results in a lot of physical trauma. Vomiting is not a typical event; it creates issues with your heart. I’ve been lucky enough to have been spared from heart issues. But the most significant consequence has been to my hormones. Particularly my production and regulation of testosterone were absolutely decimated. This is a really taboo topic for younger men. But I feel that sharing my experience can shed light on the reality of long-term harm. What I’m going through now is a direct result of my eating disorder, and it’s something I’ll have to do forever.
I had my testosterone levels checked in 2021. The results revealed that I had levels similar to what a man in his seventies could expect. I was experiencing extreme panic, depression, and an overall lack of motivation. Around this time, I was “in recovery,” meaning I had stopped purging but was still figuring out my eating. I made the decision to seek out help for this. It ended up being completely life-changing. Like I said, this is a taboo topic for anyone, let alone a man in his thirties. But this decision, in conjunction with my other methods of therapy, leads to my finding my confidence enough to fully embrace the path I’m on now.
I’d like to express my nervousness in discussing my decision to undergo testosterone replacement. I realize there is a stigma around this topic, and it’s one I had to consider in making my choice. I think some people will still discredit my hard work and choose to believe the TRT has done everything for me. I just have to accept that. But I truly believe it saved my life. There are negatives to this decision. I’m not basically on testosterone for the rest of my life. That’s a big decision. I take a low dose, but any alteration can radically affect my hormones. There are potential effects on my vital organs and immune system. But most of all, the therapy itself is relatively new, and I could face many unknowns in the long term. But they are worth it to me.
These are the effects I faced. I feel it’s essential to share these with everyone, so they know that recovery is the best course of action. The sooner you can identify your disorder and begin to heal, the more damage you can avoid. I appreciate the constant support from those of you who have been reading. Thank you for your positivity.
