Diabetes insipidus: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Diabetes insipidus (DI) is an uncommon condition in which the kidneys are unable to prevent the excretion of water.

T Causes
P During the day, your kidneys filter all your blood many times. Normally, most of the water is reabsorbed, and only a small amount of concentrated urine is excreted. DI occurs when the kidneys cannot concentrate the urine normally, and a large amount of dilute urine is excreted.
P The amount of water excreted in the urine is controlled by antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH is also called vasopressin. ADH is produced in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. It is then stored and released from the pituitary gland. This is a small gland just below the base of the brain.
P DI caused by a lack of ADH is called central diabetes insipidus. When DI is caused by a failure of the kidneys to respond to ADH, the condition is called nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Nephrogenic means related to the kidney.
P Central DI can be caused by damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland as a result of:
- Genetic problems
- Head injury
- Infection
- Problem with the ADH-producing cells due to an autoimmune disease
- Loss of blood supply to the pituitary gland
- Surgery
- Tumors in or near the pituitary gland
P Nephrogenic DI involves a defect in the kidneys. As a result, the kidneys do not respond to ADH. Like central DI, nephrogenic DI is very rare. Nephrogenic DI may be caused by:
- Certain drugs, such as lithium
- Genetic problems
- High level of calcium in the body (hypercalcemia)
- Kidney disease, such as polycystic kidney disease

T Symptoms
P Symptoms of DI include:
- Excessive thirst that may be intense or uncontrollable, usually with the need to drink large amounts of water or craving for ice water
- Excessive urine volume
- Excessive urination, often needing to urinate every hour throughout the day and night

T Exams and Tests
P The health care provider will ask about your medical history and symptoms.
P Tests that may be ordered include:
- Blood sodium and osmolality
- Desmopressin (DDAVP) challenge
- MRI of the head
- Urinalysis
- Urine concentration and osmolality
- Urine output

T Treatment
P The cause of the underlying condition will be treated when possible.
P Central DI may be controlled with vasopressin (desmopressin, DDAVP). You take vasopressin as an injection, a nasal spray, or tablets.
P If nephrogenic DI is caused by medicine, stopping the medicine may help restore normal kidney function. But after many years of use of some medicines, such as lithium, nephrogenic DI can be permanent.
P Hereditary nephrogenic DI and lithium-induced nephrogenic DI are treated by drinking enough fluids to match urine output. Medicines that lower urine output also need to be taken.
P Nephrogenic DI is treated with anti-inflammatory medicines and diuretics (water pills).

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P Outcome depends on the underlying disorder. If treated, DI does not cause severe problems or result in early death.

T Possible Complications
P If your body's thirst control is normal and you are able to drink enough fluids, there are no significant effects on body fluid or salt balance.
P Not drinking enough fluids can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can be very dangerous.
P If DI is treated with vasopressin and your body's thirst control is not normal, drinking more fluids than your body needs can also cause dangerous electrolyte imbalance.

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your provider if you develop symptoms of DI.
P If you have DI, contact your provider if frequent urination or extreme thirst returns.

T Images
- Endocrine glands
- Osmolality test

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 4/15/2017
P Updated by: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology and Health Care Ethics, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

