Anti Diuretic Hormone (ADH) / Vasopressin

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also called arginine vasopressin (AVP), is a hormone that helps regulate water balance in the body by controlling the amount of water the kidneys reabsorb while they are filtering wastes out of the blood. This test measures the amount of ADH in the blood. There are a variety of disorders, conditions, and medications that can affect either the amount of ADH released or the kidneys’ response to it. ADH deficiency and excess can cause symptoms and complications that, in rare cases, may become life-threatening.

The anti-diuretic hormone is involved in the:

1. Regulation of the circadian rhythm.
2. It is mainly responsible for homeostasis.
3. Maintains the proper cellular functions.
4. ADH actively monitors the volume of water in the body and controls it.
5. It acts on the kidneys and the blood vessels and functions to control the blood pressure.
6. It allows the water in the urine to be taken back in a specific area in the kidney and thus, reduces the amount of water excreted through the urine thereby conserving the volume of the fluid in the body.

The disorders of the antidiuretic hormone are mainly caused either by a higher or lower level of ADH hormones.

The disorders include:

• Infertility.
• Insomnia
• Head injuries.
• Delayed puberty.
• Genetic disorders.
• Frequent urination.
• Change in appetite.
• Autoimmune disorders.
• Fluctuations in blood pressure.
• Fluctuations in body temperature.
• Tumours in the hypothalamus or regions near the pituitary gland.