Description

ADH is a hormone that is produced in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain. The pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain, then stores and releases it. ADH regulates the amount of water excreted in the urine by acting on the kidneys.

This test is helpful if there is:

• Fluid buildup in your body causing swelling or puffiness (edema)
• Excessive urine production
• You have a low sodium (salt) level in your blood.

Excessive or uncontrollable thirst A higher-than-normal level can occur when too much ADH is released, either from the brain, where it is produced, or from another location in the body. This is referred to as the syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH). Among the causes of SIADH are:

• Trauma to the brain
• Tumors of the brain
• Fluid imbalance following surgery Infection in the brain or tissue surrounding the brain
• Pulmonary infection
• Certain medications, such as seizure medications, pain relievers, and antidepressants
• Lung cancer with small cell carcinoma
• Stroke
• People with heart failure, liver failure, or kidney disease may have higher-than-normal ADH levels.

A lower-than-normal level could mean:

• Hypothalamic or pituitary gland damage
• Diabetes insipidus centralis (a condition in which the kidneys are not able to conserve water)
• Extreme thirst (polydipsia)
• There is too much fluid in the blood vessels (volume overload)