Low or irregular heart rate
ARFID can cause a person's heart rate to become critically slow (a condition known as bradycardia). The heart may speed up abnormally when a person moves from lying down to standing up. A very slow or sudden change in heart rate makes it unsafe for someone to be out of hospital. Some people with ARFID also develop an abnormal heart rhythm that needs to be monitored in hospital.
Low blood pressure and anemia
People with ARFID may have a low blood pressure or may experience a drop in their blood pressure when they move from lying down to standing up. This puts them at risk of fainting.
The lack of iron in their diet may also lead to medical conditions such as iron-deficiency anemia. This can also lead to feeling tired, dizzy or short of breath.
Weak bones
Lack of
calcium and vitamin D over a long period can cause bones to become weaker. This leaves someone with ARFID at risk of developing
osteoporosis and bone fractures in the future.
Mood changes
When the brain is starved of nutrients, a person with ARFID will experience more frequent changes in their mood and be less able to concentrate and think clearly.
Reduced hormone levels
A body that is starved of nutrients may not produce normal levels of hormones. In teen girls, this can lead to abnormal or missed periods. Younger children who experience ARFID may not go through puberty normally or may stop growing.
Thinning hair
Lack of vitamins and minerals can cause hair to become thinner and even fall out. Some people with ARFID may also experience lanugo. This is a type of fine hair that grows all over the body in an attempt to keep it warm when body fat levels are extremely low.
