Why do they weigh you at the doctor's office?

Sometimes, knowing your weight is important information your doctor needs to inform a treatment decision (like certain medication dosages). In these cases, your doctor may insist on weighing you.

Why do doctors check your weight?

Tracking your height and weight helps your doctor assess your body mass index (BMI). This is an estimate of your total body fat, and can tell your doctor if you're at a heightened risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, gallstones, type 2 diabetes and other ailments.

Can you decline being weighed at the doctor?

Research supports that many individuals, especially women, are less likely to see their doctor because of uneasiness associated with being weighed. (1, 2) As a patient, you have the right to decline being weighed.

Do doctors offices have to weigh you?

Unless there's some medical necessity, you don't have to be weighed every time you go to the doctor. For many struggling with body image, heading to the doctor for a specific health issue or even just a routine checkup is more stressful than it needs to be.

Do they weigh you at every doctor appointment?

1. Yes, you're allowed to skip the scale. There are some circumstances where your doctor might want to know your weight, right then and there (more on that later). But you have every right to ask to skip the scale during an appointment, and your doctor's answer may surprise you.

How to Decline Getting Weighed at the Doctor’s Office - Eating Disorders

When should a patient be weighed?

(1) Weigh the patient before breakfast, at the same time each day. (2) Use the same scale each time. (3) Ensure that the scale is properly balanced. (4) Weigh the patient in the same amount of clothing each day (i.e., hospital gown or pajamas).

Can you refuse vitals?

Taken to the extreme, this principle gives individuals the right to refuse life-saving treatment or to seek “Do Not Resuscitate” orders. Doctors rarely ask permission for routine matters like checking your blood pressure or listening to your lungs, though, on the grounds that they have your tacit consent.

Why do psychiatrists weigh me?

A simple physical. Many psychiatrists will take your vitals on your first visit to establish a baseline. They will take your blood pressure and temperature and many will also weigh you. There is also the possibility of a blood draw.

What unit do doctors weigh you in?

For many years, U.S. medical facilities have used the imperial system (pounds) to measure patients' weight. It's not uncommon for hospitals to use the imperial system when weighing patients, but then switch to the metric system for medication dosing.

Do they weigh you at the Obgyn?

The Checkup

A nurse or medical assistant will take you into the exam room to weigh you and get your blood pressure. If the doctor is going to do a quick visual check of things like breast growth, you will be left alone to get undressed.

How can I avoid getting weighed at the doctor?

You can say something like, “If weighing me is medically necessary in order to inform care, I'd prefer not to see the number and request that this number not be communicated to me in any way over the course of my visit, including on my end of appointment paperwork.”

Can you refuse to step on the scale at the doctors?

Since your doctor may weigh you as a default and might have done so in past appointments, you may need to explain why you don't want to be weighed. Let's be clear: Like any medical procedure, you have the right to refuse. Previte says, "Let them know...that it can be harmful or triggering if you see (your weight).

What is the fear of scales called?

I have scale anxiety.

It's formally called gravitophobia, the fear of stepping on the scale. Dr. Yoni Freedhoff explained in Psychology Today that this fear tends to affect those who believe that weight management involves strict control.

What are doctors looking for when they press on your stomach?

Pressing on your stomach is a way to find out if the size of your internal organs is normal, to check if anything hurts, and to feel if anything unusual is going on. Looking, listening, and feeling are all part of a physical exam.

Why do doctors ask for height and weight?

If you think you've gained too much weight or are too skinny, a doctor can help you know if it's normal for you or whether you do have a weight problem. At each visit, your doctor measures your height and weight and plots your BMI. He or she uses those measurements over time to tell whether you're growing as expected.

Why do doctors look down your pants?

About the opening of the pants question: most physicians would ask the patient to undo the button(s) him/herself, and explain that it is for the purpose of examining the abdomen. It's as simple as that. You cannot do a proper exam without undoing the pants.

Are doctors scales accurate?

So, as long as they are in decent condition and their materials didn't go through too much wear and tear, their results will remain accurate. For instance, if you did a weigh on a doctor's scale and took it to a location with 1 by 3 gravity, the readings in both locations will remain unchanged.

Can a scale be off by 10 pounds?

All measuring equipment has a margin of error but is an otherwise exact piece of equipment. Therefore, there is no reason that a high-quality, accurate scale should be off by 10 pounds or more. Fortunately, if yours is off by 10 pounds, you can typically calibrate it and return it to its accurate operational state.

What top obesity doctors think you should know?

What happens during a psychiatric evaluation?

During the evaluation, you may be asked to complete blood work, a urine test, or a brain scan to rule out any physical conditions. You may also be asked to answer questions about drug and alcohol use to confirm your experience is not a side effect.

Why does my psychiatrist want a blood test?

Diving right in, possible reasons a psychiatrist may order a blood test include: To determine if treatments will be safe and screening for certain conditions that may necessitate prescribing certain medications over others (e.g., blood, heart, thyroid, and kidney conditions).

Does anxiety affect blood pressure readings?

Anxiety doesn't cause long-term high blood pressure (hypertension). But episodes of anxiety can cause dramatic, temporary spikes in blood pressure.

What is coat syndrome?

What is white coat syndrome? Some people find that their blood pressure is normal at home, but rises slightly when they're at the doctor. This is known as white coat syndrome, or the white coat effect. The syndrome gets its name from doctors and medical staff who sometimes wear white coats in a professional setting.

Why do I have white coat syndrome?

You could have white coat hypertension. This condition occurs when blood pressure readings at a health care provider's office are higher than they are in other settings, such as at home. It's called white coat hypertension because people who measure blood pressure sometimes wear white coats.