Eating disorder sufferer with intense craving for salt

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Is this significant?
I'm getting help for an eating disorder atm, I have been restricting my food and purging for about a year now :( For the last week or so I have been craving salt really really badly. I have been cooking pans of rice with lots of salt in them, but I know that salt in any quantity is bad for you anyway. Is a craving for salt something I should be seeing a doctor about? Atm I am just seeing my CBT lady and have a referral for the ED service this month. So far, my therapist hasn't involved my GP at all, should I make an appointment?

Would you be against drinking a rehydration salty drink. The electrolyte levels are similar to those in blood so won't be absorbed if not needed. I mean the sachets of dioralyte, not lucozade sport. Just one a day for a few days to see if it takes the edge off?

you are craving salt because you are losing your body's natural reserves when you purge, i would probably see your gp tbh.

Yes, go and talk to your GP and ask for bloods to be done. Salt cravings can be a sign of electrolyte problems, which can be dangerous.

ditto what others have said - see your gp

Thanks everyone (have namechanged, tis OP here). I have an appointment with the nurse this afternoon so I can ask for some blood tests to be done. I might ask about the rehydration drink as well. Thanks for the advice. Just having a quick wobble that she'll think it odd if I go in and ask for blood tests. WIll they think I'm dramatic?

No... or at least, they shouldn't. It's a more efficient use of their time if you ask directly rather than allow a GP/nurse to work our that's what you need. Many people with eating disorders have bloods done on a regular basis anyway... the nurse should be familiar with the procedure.

Thanks. I went and then nurse didn't know I hadn't been referred by a doctor even though I'd explained it all to the nosey receptionist this morning . It was no problem though, she popped out to speak to one of the GPs and they've done a full blood screen, results back on Friday. Kind of wish I'd not worried about wasting the GPs time and gone direct to them really

Yes but if you had, then the GP would have got you to make an appointment with the nurse. Six and two threes, really. But glad you've had the bloods done. Hope everything is OK...

salt craving can be sign of adrenal problems as well

Would a normal blood screen pick all of this up? I didn't go into a great deal of detail really it was basically 'I have some problems with food and I've started to crave salt.' She didn't ask what my problems were. Do I assume she didn't have to? The thing I'm worried about now is the tests coming back normal when any normal person would be hopign for that. I suppose I just want an explination, the craving is really getting me down :(

It should. The bloods will pick up any adrenal or kidney problems. They'll also pick up any deficiencies of sodium (ie salt), potassium and magnesium in your body, which would most likely be caused by purging.

If the bloods come back normal, my guess would be that you are simply very dehydrated. Do you drink enough water?