Health measurements for your ADHD assessment
Your health measurements
You will be asked to provide some recent health measurements as part of your ADHD assessment.
This is a routine question and helps your clinician understand your current health and make safe, informed decisions about your care.
Please have the following information ready before your appointment:
Height
Your height should have been measured within the last 12 months, unless there has been a relevant change.
Weight and BMI
Your weight and BMI should be from within the last 3 months.
Blood pressure and pulse
Your blood pressure and pulse should have been measured within the last 3 months.
Why do we need these measurements?
These measurements help your clinician build a complete picture of your health before discussing ADHD treatment with you.
Blood pressure and pulse
Your blood pressure and pulse are an important part of your physical health assessment.
Some ADHD medicines can affect your blood pressure and pulse so having a recent reading helps your clinician consider whether medication is appropriate for you.
Both will be required even if you have never had problems with them in the past.
Having a baseline measurement and regular checks will help your clinician monitor your heart health as your treatment progresses to ensure your overall well-being.
Height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)
Your height, weight and BMI help your clinician understand your current physical health and provide useful baseline information.
They help your assessor have an up-to-date picture of your health.
Use the NHS BMI calculator
What do I need to do?
If you already have recent measurements, you can use these.
If you don’t have them, you may be able to have your height, weight, blood pressure and pulse checked at your GP practice, pharmacy or another appropriate healthcare setting.
Use the NHS BMI calculator to work out this information.
Please make sure your measurements meet the timeframes above before your assessment.
We do not accept readings from smartwatches, apps or wearables because we cannot be sure of their accuracy.
You do not need to interpret the results yourself.
Your clinician will review them as part of your assessment and discuss anything relevant with you.
What to have ready for your appointment
Please have:
- Height – measured within the last 12 months
- Weight and BMI – measured or calculated within the last 3 months
- Blood pressure and pulse – measured within the last 3 months
Having this information ready helps your clinician complete your assessment and discuss the next steps with you.