When it comes to seeking support, it’s important to know where to look. There is often a gap in knowledge about RED-S within general medical practice which may make it harder to diagnose and treat. However, there are a number of specialists who can help with a RED-S related issue and we're continually adding them to our list of trusted recommendations below.
Blood tests are considered the “gold standard” for testing whether someone has (or is at risk of developing) RED-S, although these are typically tricky to attain via a regular practitioner. Fortunately, there is a RED-S screening blood test designed by RED-S medical specialists which is both affordable and clinically useful. Head here for more information.
For more medical advice, you can check out the British Association of Sports Medicine website and some of our specific athlete, coach and supporter resources. To talk any of this through with Pippa in a mentoring capacity, head here.
Medical Specialists
Dr Nicky Keay is a sports/dance endocrinologist with extensive experience of working with a wide range of male and female athletes. She is the author of Health4Performance website which provides comprehensive science-based RED-S information and you'll find lots of her award-winning work within our own 'papers & podcasts' sections.
Dr Rebecca Robinson is Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant with a special interest in RED-S, female athlete health and oncology. An accomplished athlete herself in mountain and road running, Rebecca is able to relate to athletes' experiences and goals.
Dr John Rogers is a Manchester-based Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant who specialises in many issues problems related to physical activity, including RED-S, mental health problems and nutritional deficiencies.
Dr Kate Hutchings is a Sports and Exercise Medicine Consultant at Circle Reading Hospital and is experienced in working with athletes from a variety of sports and levels.
Nutrition
Alex Cook is a registered clinical and sports dietitian with over 15 years experience. A successful athlete herself, Alex supports a wide range of others with nutrition management, from ultra-distance adults to elite level juniors and anyone in between. Alongside her private practice, Alex works as a Specialist in Eating Disorders for the NHS and has an in-depth understanding of the ED behaviours often intertwined with RED-S.
Renee McGregor is a sports dietitian, specialising in Eating Disorders, RED-S and female athlete health and performance. She is also co-founder and director of the #TRAINBRAVE campaign, aimed at raising the awareness of eating disorders in sport; providing resources and practical strategies to reduce its prevalence.
Katie Kirk is an Irish athlete and registered sports nutritionist with a keen interest in non-diet approaches. You can email her directly.
Hannah Cartwright is a nutritional therapist based in Marlow, Bucks. She specialises in RED-S, disordered eating and loss of periods. Get in touch directly.
Jo Scott-Dalgleish BSc (Hons) is a Registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who helps endurance athletes looking for improved health and performance, including those who may be inadvertently experiencing RED-S. Please note that Jo is unable to support athletes with disordered eating or diagnosed eating disorders (past or present).
Evan Lynch is an Ireland-based sports dietitian, working primarily with endurance athletes. Evan's work centres around helping athletes fuel to meet their needs and is well-versed with RED-S and the resultant nutrient deficiencies. You can get in touch directly, here.
Psychology
Dr Caz Nahman is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist specialising in Eating Disorders in athletes (and non-athletes), Autism Spectrum Disorder and compulsive exercise. She offers zoom or in-person sessions in Oxford and can be contacted directly here.
Hannah Stoyel is a Sport Psychologist and founder of Optimise Potential. Hannah uses an integrative approach with an emphasis on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy and has a special interest in disordered eating and eating disorders among athletes.
Daniel Mansaray is a specialist Mental Health Physiotherapist and Dialectical Behavioural Therapist whose practice integrates physical and psychological approaches to help people achieve a healthy relationship with exercise. You can book a free assessment here.
Eating Disorder Clinics
Eating Disorder Clinics
Dr Caz Nahman is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Newbridge House Eating Disorder Unit with significant experience of working with athletes.
Helplines
BEAT is a UK charity which exists to encourage and empower people with eating disorders on any end of the severity spectrum to get help quickly, because they know the sooner someone starts treatment, the greater their chance of recovery.
Helplines are free to call from all phones:
England: 0808 801 0677
Scotland: 0808 801 0432
Wales: 0808 801 0433
Northern Ireland: 0808 801 0434
Screening Tools
Blood Tests
As explained above, a comprehensive set of blood tests can be tricky to obtain via a regular practitioner. So, we're grateful to receive a 15% discount here via Forth who provide RED-S Screening tests, created by RED-S medical specialists.
This is a finger-prick blood test which can be done from your own home. You can then take your results (or send in advance) to a RED-S medical specialist (above) to save time and money.
The Male RED-S Profile and Female RED-S Profile should cover all the essential bases but you can of course, tack on optional extras, from the main Forth website.
Medicine
Dr Kathryn Ackerman is a Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician and medical director of the Female Athlete Program in the Division of Sports Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital. Her interests include female athletes, rowing injuries, endocrinology, RED-S, the list goes on!
Dr Emily Kraus is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford Children’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center. She specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) sports medicine and is involved in multiple RED-S based projects.
Nutrition
Dietitian Rebecca McConville is a certified eating disorder dietitian and sports nutrition specialist. She has 25+ years worth of experience in all-things-RED-S and is also the author of Finding Your Sweet Spot: How to Avoid RED-S by Optimizing Your Energy Balance.
Lisa Podlecki, Registered Sports Dietitian and avid runner, provides realistic and sustainable recommendations for athletes with RED-S.
Linda Steinhardt is sports dietitian based in Texas who has worked with adolescents, elite college athletes, and active adults.
Leslie Schilling is a master's level registered dietitian specialising in sport nutrition, weight concerns, and family wellness located in Las Vegas, NV.
Marissa Michael has been a registered dietitian nutritionist for 18 years and helps athletes optimise nutrition for sports performance, from recreational to elite.
Psychology
Riley Nickols is a counseling and sport psychologist who specializes in working with athletes to address mental health and performance concerns.
Dr Melissa Streno's areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, eating disorders, disordered eating, body image distress, anxiety, depression, and life/relationship transitions.
Kate Bennett is a Clinical Sport Psychologist at Athlete Insight who specialises in the treatment of eating disorders, body image concerns, and exercise dependency.
Eating Disorder Clinics
The Gaudiani Clinic offers unique, expert outpatient eating disorder treatment specifically dedicated to treating adolescents and adults with eating disorders or disordered eating of all shapes and sizes and comes highly recommended.
Eating Disorder & Mental Health Helplines
NEDA is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.
Screening Tools
Blood Tests
As explained above, a comprehensive set of blood tests can be tricky to obtain via a regular practitioner. So, we're grateful to receive a 15% discount here via Forth who provide RED-S Screening tests, created by RED-S medical specialists.
This is a finger-prick blood test which can be done from your own home. You can then take your results (or send in advance) to a RED-S medical specialist (above) to save time and money.
The Male RED-S Profile and Female RED-S Profile should cover all the essential bases but you can of course, tack on optional extras, from the main Forth website.