Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is a condition in which the body makes too much antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This hormone helps the kidneys control the amount of water your body loses through the urine. SIADH causes the body to retain too much water.
P ADH is a substance produced naturally in an area of the brain called the hypothalamus. It is then released by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain.

T Causes
P Any cause that results in too much ADH in the body can lead to SIADH.
P Common causes include:
- Medicines, such as certain type 2 diabetes drugs, seizure drugs, antidepressants, heart and blood pressure drugs, cancer drugs, anesthesia
- Receiving hormone medicines, such as ADH or vasopressin
- Surgery under general anesthesia
- Disorders of the brain, such as injury, infections, stroke
- Lung disease, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, cancer, chronic infections
P Rare causes include:
- A disease of the hypothalamus or pituitary
- Cancer of the lung, small intestine, pancreas, brain, leukemia
- Mental disorders

T Symptoms
P With SIADH, there is too much water in the blood. This dilutes many substances in the blood such as sodium. A low blood sodium level is the most common cause of symptoms of too much ADH.
P Often, there are no symptoms from a low sodium level.
P When symptoms do occur, they may include any of the following:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Problems with balance that may result in falls
- Mental changes, such as confusion, memory problems, strange behavior
- Seizures or coma, in severe cases

T Exams and Tests
P The health care provider will perform a complete physical examination to help determine the cause of your symptoms.
P Lab tests that can confirm and help diagnose low sodium include:
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (includes blood sodium) 
- Osmolality blood test 
- Urine osmolality
- Urine sodium

T Treatment
P Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. For example, surgery is done to remove a tumor producing ADH. Or, if a medicine is the cause, its dosage may be changed or another medicine may be tried.
P In all cases, the first step is to limit fluid intake. This helps prevent excess fluid from building up in the body. Your provider will tell you what your daily fluid intake should be.
P Medicines may be needed to block the effects of ADH on the kidneys so that excess water is excreted by the kidneys. These medicines may be given as pills or as injections given into the veins (intravenous).

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P Outcome depends on the condition that is causing the problem. Low sodium that occurs rapidly, in less than 48 hours (acute hyponatremia), is more dangerous than low sodium that develops slowly over time. When sodium level falls slowly over days or weeks (chronic hyponatremia), the brain cells have time to adjust and the acute symptoms such as brain swelling don't occur. Chronic hyponatremia is associated with nervous system problems such as poor balance and poor memory.

T Possible Complications
P In severe cases, low sodium can lead to:
- Decreased consciousness, hallucinations or coma
- Brain herniation
- Death

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P When your body's sodium level drops too much, it can be a life-threatening emergency. Call your provider right away if you have symptoms of this condition.

T Alternative Names
P SIADH; Inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone; Syndrome of inappropriate ADH release; Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis

T References
P Hannon MJ, Thompson CJ. Vasopressin, diabetes insipidus, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 18.
P Verbalis JG. Disorders of water balance. In: Skorecki K, Chertow GM, Marsden PA, Taal MW, Yu ASL, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 16.

T Review Date 5/7/2017
P Updated by: Brent Wisse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

