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Diabetes insipidus

 

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

Causes

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. Diabetes insipidus (DI) occurs when the kidneys cannot concentrate the urine normally, and a large amount of dilute urine is excreted.

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.

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.

Central DI can be caused by damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland as a result of:

  • Genetic problems
  • Head injury
  • Infection
  • Loss of blood supply to the pituitary gland
  • Surgery
  • Tumors in or near the pituitary

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 )

Symptoms

 

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

 

Exams and Tests

 

The health care provider will ask about your medical history and symptoms.

Tests that may be ordered include:

  • Blood sodium and osmolarity
  • Desmopressin (DDAVP) challenge
  • MRI of the head
  • Urinalysis
  • Urine concentration and osmolarity
  • Urine output

 

Treatment

 

The cause of the underlying condition will be treated when possible.

Central DI may be controlled with vasopressin (desmopressin, DDAVP). You take vasopressin as an injection, a nasal spray, or tablets.

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.

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.

Nephrogenic DI is treated with anti-inflammatory medicines and diuretics (water pills).

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Outcome depends on the underlying disorder. If treated, DI does not cause severe problems or result in early death.

 

Possible Complications

 

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.

Not drinking enough fluids can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which can be very dangerous.

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.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your provider if you develop symptoms of DI.

If you have DI, contact your provider if frequent urination or extreme thirst returns.

 

 

Open References

References

Bichet DG. Polyuria and diabetes insipidus. In: Alpern RJ, Caplan M, Moe OW, eds. Seldin and Giebisch's The Kidney . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2013:chap 46.

Carr AC. Diabetes insipidus and other polyuric syndromes. In: Berstein AD, Soni N, eds. Oh's Intensive Care Manual . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014:chap 59.

 
  • Endocrine glands

    Endocrine glands - illustration

    Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).

    Endocrine glands

    illustration

    • Endocrine glands

      Endocrine glands - illustration

      Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).

      Endocrine glands

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Diabetes insipidus

           
             

            Review Date: 10/28/2015

            Reviewed 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, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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