BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCentral diabetes insipidusDiabetes insipidus - central; Neurogenic diabetes insipidusCentral diabetes insipidus is a rare condition that involves extreme thirst and excessive urination. Causes Diabetes insipidus (DI) is an uncommon condition in which the kidneys are unable to prevent the excretion of water. DI is a different disease than diabetes, though both share common symptoms of excessive urination and thirst.Diabetes insipidus (DI)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 me...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Excessive urinationExcessive amount of urination means that your body makes larger than normal amounts of urine each day.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Central diabetes insipidus is a form of DI that occurs when the body has a lower than normal amount of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH is also called vasopressin. ADH is produced in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. ADH is then stored and released from the pituitary gland. This is a small gland at the base of the brain.VasopressinAntidiuretic blood test measures the level of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in blood.Read Article Now Book Mark Article HypothalamusThe hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:Body temperatureHeart rateHungerMoodRelease of hormones from many glands...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ADH controls the amount of water excreted in urine. Without ADH, the kidneys do not work properly to keep enough water in the body. The result is a rapid loss of water from the body in the form of dilute urine. This results in the need to drink large amounts of water due to extreme thirst and to make up for excessive water loss in the urine (10 to 15 liters a day).The reduced level of ADH may be caused by damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. This damage may be due to surgery, infection, inflammation, tumor, or injury to the brain.TumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).Read Article Now Book Mark Article Injury to the brainA head injury is any trauma to the scalp, skull, or brain. Head injury can be either closed or open (penetrating). A closed head injury means you rec...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article In rare cases, central diabetes insipidus is caused by a genetic problem. Symptoms Symptoms of central diabetes insipidus include:Increased urine production Excessive thirst Confusion and changes in alertness due to dehydration and higher than normal sodium level in the body, if the person is unable to drink 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 Blood sodium The sodium blood test measures the concentration of sodium in the blood. Sodium can also be measured using a urine test.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article OsmolarityThe osmolality urine test measures the concentration of chemicals in urine. Osmolality in the blood can be measured using a blood test.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Desmopressin (DDAVP) challenge MRI of the head MRI of the headA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urinalysis UrinalysisUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine concentration and osmolarity Urine concentrationA urine concentration test measures the ability of the kidneys to conserve or excrete water.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine output Treatment The cause of the underlying condition will be treated.Vasopressin (desmopressin, DDAVP) is given either as a nasal spray, tablets, or injections. This controls urine output and fluid balance and prevents dehydration.DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article In mild cases, drinking more water may be all that is needed. If the body's thirst control is not working (for example, if the hypothalamus is damaged), specific instructions to the person for a certain amount of water intake may also be needed to ensure proper hydration. Outlook (Prognosis) Outcome depends on the cause. If treated, central diabetes insipidus usually does not cause severe problems or result in early death. Possible Complications Not drinking enough fluids can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.ElectrolyteElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When taking vasopressin and your body's thirst control is not normal, drinking more fluids than your body needs can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalance. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of central diabetes insipidus.If you have central diabetes insipidus, contact your provider if frequent urination or extreme thirst returns. Prevention Many of the cases may not be preventable. Prompt treatment of infections, tumors, and injuries may reduce risk.Open ReferencesReferencesMoritz ML, Ayus JC. Diabetes insipidus and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone. In: Singh AK, Williams GH, eds. Textbook of Nephro-Endocrinology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 8.Thompson CJ, Verbalis JG. Posterior pituitary. In: Melmed S, Auchus, RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 10.Verbalis JG. Posterior pituitary. In: Goldman L, Cooney K, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 206.AllVideoImagesTogHypothalamus hormone production - illustration The controlling hormones from the hypothalamus regulate hormone production by the pituitary. These hormones regulate body processes such as metabolism and control the release of hormones from glands like the thyroid, the adrenals, and the gonads (testes or ovaries).Hypothalamus hormone productionillustrationHypothalamus hormone production - illustration The controlling hormones from the hypothalamus regulate hormone production by the pituitary. These hormones regulate body processes such as metabolism and control the release of hormones from glands like the thyroid, the adrenals, and the gonads (testes or ovaries).Hypothalamus hormone productionillustration Tests for Central diabetes insipidus Urine 24-hour volumeUrine concentration testRelated Information Antidiuretic hormone blood test(Medical Test)Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus(Condition)Hypothalamus(Special Topic)Tumor(Condition)Head injury - first aid(Injury)Diabetes insipidus(Condition)Thirst - excessive(Symptoms)Electrolytes(Special Topic) Review Date: 12/31/2023 Reviewed By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. 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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Central diabetes insipidusDiabetes insipidus - central; Neurogenic diabetes insipidusCentral diabetes insipidus is a rare condition that involves extreme thirst and excessive urination. Causes Diabetes insipidus (DI) is an uncommon condition in which the kidneys are unable to prevent the excretion of water. DI is a different disease than diabetes, though both share common symptoms of excessive urination and thirst.Diabetes insipidus (DI)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 me...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Excessive urinationExcessive amount of urination means that your body makes larger than normal amounts of urine each day.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Central diabetes insipidus is a form of DI that occurs when the body has a lower than normal amount of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH is also called vasopressin. ADH is produced in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. ADH is then stored and released from the pituitary gland. This is a small gland at the base of the brain.VasopressinAntidiuretic blood test measures the level of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in blood.Read Article Now Book Mark Article HypothalamusThe hypothalamus is an area of the brain that produces hormones that control:Body temperatureHeart rateHungerMoodRelease of hormones from many glands...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ADH controls the amount of water excreted in urine. Without ADH, the kidneys do not work properly to keep enough water in the body. The result is a rapid loss of water from the body in the form of dilute urine. This results in the need to drink large amounts of water due to extreme thirst and to make up for excessive water loss in the urine (10 to 15 liters a day).The reduced level of ADH may be caused by damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. This damage may be due to surgery, infection, inflammation, tumor, or injury to the brain.TumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).Read Article Now Book Mark Article Injury to the brainA head injury is any trauma to the scalp, skull, or brain. Head injury can be either closed or open (penetrating). A closed head injury means you rec...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article In rare cases, central diabetes insipidus is caused by a genetic problem. Symptoms Symptoms of central diabetes insipidus include:Increased urine production Excessive thirst Confusion and changes in alertness due to dehydration and higher than normal sodium level in the body, if the person is unable to drink 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 Blood sodium The sodium blood test measures the concentration of sodium in the blood. Sodium can also be measured using a urine test.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article OsmolarityThe osmolality urine test measures the concentration of chemicals in urine. Osmolality in the blood can be measured using a blood test.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Desmopressin (DDAVP) challenge MRI of the head MRI of the headA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urinalysis UrinalysisUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine concentration and osmolarity Urine concentrationA urine concentration test measures the ability of the kidneys to conserve or excrete water.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine output Treatment The cause of the underlying condition will be treated.Vasopressin (desmopressin, DDAVP) is given either as a nasal spray, tablets, or injections. This controls urine output and fluid balance and prevents dehydration.DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article In mild cases, drinking more water may be all that is needed. If the body's thirst control is not working (for example, if the hypothalamus is damaged), specific instructions to the person for a certain amount of water intake may also be needed to ensure proper hydration. Outlook (Prognosis) Outcome depends on the cause. If treated, central diabetes insipidus usually does not cause severe problems or result in early death. Possible Complications Not drinking enough fluids can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.ElectrolyteElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When taking vasopressin and your body's thirst control is not normal, drinking more fluids than your body needs can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalance. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of central diabetes insipidus.If you have central diabetes insipidus, contact your provider if frequent urination or extreme thirst returns. Prevention Many of the cases may not be preventable. Prompt treatment of infections, tumors, and injuries may reduce risk.Open ReferencesReferencesMoritz ML, Ayus JC. Diabetes insipidus and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone. In: Singh AK, Williams GH, eds. Textbook of Nephro-Endocrinology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 8.Thompson CJ, Verbalis JG. Posterior pituitary. In: Melmed S, Auchus, RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 10.Verbalis JG. Posterior pituitary. In: Goldman L, Cooney K, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 206.