Diabetes insipidus

Definition

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

DI is not the same as diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2. However, untreated, both DI and diabetes mellitus cause constant thirst and frequent urination. People with diabetes mellitus have high blood sugar (glucose). Those with DI have normal blood sugar levels, but their kidneys are not able to balance fluid and salt in the body.

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, relative to the volume of blood, is excreted. DI occurs when your 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 is rare. It can be caused by damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland as a result of:

  • Genetic problems
  • Head injury (common cause)
  • Infection in the brain
  • Problem with the ADH-producing cells due to an autoimmune disease
  • Loss of blood supply to the pituitary gland
  • Surgery in the area of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus (most common cause)
  • Tumors in or near the pituitary gland

Nephrogenic DI involves a defect in the kidneys. As a result, the kidneys do not respond to ADH. Nephrogenic DI is very rare. Nephrogenic DI may be caused by:

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
  • Very dilute, pale urine

Exams and Tests

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

Tests that may be ordered include:

Your provider may have you see a doctor who specializes in pituitary diseases to help diagnose DI.

Treatment

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

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

If nephrogenic DI is caused by a 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)

The 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 a dangerous electrolyte imbalance.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of DI.

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

References

Thompson CJ, Garrah A. Disorders of sodium, diabetes insipidus and hyponatremia. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 12.

Verbalis JG. Disorders of water balance. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15.

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Review Date: 5/12/2023

Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.


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