Symptoms & Signs
- Increased amount of urine production
- Excessive thirst
- Confusion and changes in consciousness due to dehydration (if the patient is unable to drink)
Diagnosis & Tests
A person with central diabetes insipidus produces more than 3 liters of urine a day. Urinalysis will show a low concentration of salt in the urine.
A water restriction test is used to look at how well the kidney works and how much urine is produced. This test is done during a hospital stay. A weight check, urine collection and a blood test to check sodium concentration are done every hour. The blood sodium concentration may become high if the condition is untreated, and a person is not allowed to drink water.
A CT or MRI of the head may show a problem in or near the pituitary gland.
A person with central diabetes insipidus produces more than 3 liters of urine a day. Urinalysis will show a dilute urine with a low concentration of salt in the urine.
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Diabetes insipidus – central : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Diabetes insipidus – central : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Diabetes insipidus – central : Treatment
Review Date : 11/30/2009
Reviewed By : David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Herbert Y. Lin, MD, PHD, Nephrologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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