Question

A patient complains of constant thirst, excessive passing of urine and low blood pressure. When the doctor checked the patients blood glucose and blood insulin level, the level was normal or slightly low. The doctor diagnosed the condition as diabetes insipidus. But he decided to measure one more hormone in patients blood. Which hormone does the doctor intend to measure?

Answer 1

Role of ADH:

ADH (antidiuretic hormone)/ vasopressin is released by the posterior pituitary. ADH is a hormone released by the posterior pituitary when signalled by hypothalamus increases the water reabsorption by the DCT of the kidney tubule. Deficiency of ADH results in excessive urination as water is not reabsorbed.


Conclusion:

As the patient's insulin levels are normal, the level of ADH must have been low. As a result, the patient complained of excessive urination and thirst. Measuring of ADH/ vasopressin must have given an appropriate idea to the doctor.


Final answer :ADH