Urinary basal body temperature in anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Measurements of basal body temperature obtained from first-morning voided urine were followed longitudinally in 23 individuals with anorexia nervosa. In each of 10 hypothermic individuals, we found that basal body temperature was significantly correlated with weight gain, whereas in most normothermic individuals, no relationship was found. This suggests that measurement of basal body temperature may provide a convenient means of assessing clinical improvement and nutritional rehabilitation in some patients with anorexia nervosa. Differences in neuroendocrine measures and weight gain were also studied. Thyroid functions did not differ significantly between groups, and no differences were found in dexamethasone suppression or in the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test. Hypothermic individuals, however, were significantly younger and significantly more likely to gain weight in response to treatment.