Diabetes insipidus is a condition where water in the body is improperly removed from the circulatory system by the kidneys.

There are two forms of diabetes insipidus (DI):

  • Central diabetes insipidus (central DI)
  • Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI)—due to renal cells in the kidneys not responding to ADH

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) controls the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys. ADH is made in the hypothalamus of the brain. The pituitary gland, at the base of the brain, stores and releases ADH. Central DI occurs when the hypothalamus does not make enough ADH. NDI occurs when the kidneys do not respond to ADH.

Some diabetes insipidus is casued by genetic problems that lead to central DI or NDI. Others may develop after an injury or illness.

Pituitary Gland
Nucleus factsheet image
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.