1. Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
2. Diabetes and Foot Problems Slideshow
3. Take the Diabetes Quiz!

In this Article

• Diabetes insipidus facts*
• What is diabetes insipidus, and what are the symptoms of the condition?
• What is the difference between diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus?
• How is fluid in the body normally regulated?
• What are the types of diabetes insipidus?
• How is diabetes insipidus diagnosed?
• For more information about diabetes insipidus
• Patient Comments: Diabetes Insipidus - Symptoms
• Find a local Endocrinologist in your town
• Diabetes Insipidus Index

Because diabetes mellitus is more common and because diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus have similar symptoms, a health care provider may suspect that a patient with diabetes insipidus has diabetes mellitus. But testing should make the diagnosis clear.

A doctor must determine which type of diabetes insipidus is involved before proper treatment can begin. Diagnosis is based on a series of tests, including urinalysis and a fluid deprivation test.

Urinalysis is the physical and chemical examination of urine. The urine of a person with diabetes insipidus will be less concentrated. Therefore, the salt and waste concentrations are low and the amount of water excreted is high. A physician evaluates the concentration of urine by measuring how many particles are in a kilogram of water or by comparing the weight of the urine with an equal volume of distilled water.

A fluid deprivation test helps determine whether diabetes insipidus is caused by one of the following:

• excessive intake of fluid
• a defect in ADH production
• a defect in the kidneys' response to ADH

This test measures changes in body weight, urine output, and urine composition when fluids are withheld. Sometimes measuring blood levels of ADH during this test is also necessary.

In some patients, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain may be necessary as well.

The Diabetes Insipidus Foundation, Inc.
Patient Support and Information
Mary Evans-Lee
3742 Woodland Drive
Columbus, GA 31907
Phone: 706-323-7576
Email: info@diabetesinsipidus.org
Internet: www.diabetesinsipidus.org

The Diabetes Insipidus and Related Disorders Network
535 Echo Court
Saline, MI 48176-1270
Email: gsmayes@aol.com
Internet: web.archive.org/web/20021201133912/members.aol.com/ruudh/dipage1.htm?mtbrand=AOL_US

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
55 Kenosia Avenue
P.O. Box 1968
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
Phone: 1-800-999-6673 (voicemail) or 203-744-0100
Email: orphan@rarediseases.org
Internet: www.rarediseases.org

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus Foundation
Main Street
P.O. Box 1390
Eastsound, WA 98245
Phone: 1-888-376-6343
Fax: 1-888-376-6356
Email: info@ndif.org
Internet: www.ndif.org

SOURCE: National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, National Institutes of Health. Diabetes Insipidus.