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Antidiuretic hormone blood test

Arginine vasopressin; Antidiuretic hormone; AVP; Vasopressin

 

Antidiuretic blood test measures the level of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in blood.

How the Test is Performed

 

A blood sample is needed .

 

How to Prepare for the Test

 

Talk to your doctor about your medicines before the test. Many drugs can affect ADH level, including:

  • Alcohol
  • Diuretics (water pills)
  • Blood pressure medicines
  • Insulin
  • Medicines for mental disorders
  • Nicotine
  • Steroids

 

How the Test will Feel

 

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or slight bruising. This soon goes away.

 

Why the Test is Performed

 

ADH is a hormone that is produced in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus . It is then stored and released from the pituitary, a small gland at the base of the brain. ADH acts on the kidneys to control the amount of water excreted in the urine.

ADH blood test is ordered when your health care provider suspects you have a disorder that affects your ADH level such as:

  • Buildup of fluids in your body that are causing swelling or puffiness ( edema )
  • Excessive amounts of urine
  • Low sodium (salt) level in your blood
  • Thirst that is intense or uncontrollable

Certain diseases affect the normal release of ADH. The blood level of ADH must be tested to determine the cause of the disease. ADH may be measured as part of a water restriction test to find the cause of a disease.

 

Normal Results

 

Normal values for ADH can range from 1 to 5 pg/mL.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

 

What Abnormal Results Mean

 

A higher-than-normal level may occur when too much ADH is released, either from the brain where it is made, or from somewhere else in the body. This is called syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH).

Causes of SIADH include:

  • Brain injury or trauma
  • Brain tumors
  • Fluid imbalance after surgery
  • Infection in the brain or the tissue that surrounds the brain
  • Infection in the lungs
  • Small cell carcinoma lung cancer
  • Stroke

A lower-than-normal level may indicate:

  • Damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
  • Diabetes insipidus . A condition in which the kidneys are not able to conserve water.
  • Excessive thirst ( polydipsia )
  • Too much fluid in the body (volume overload)

 

Risks

 

Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling lightheaded
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

 

 

Open References

References

Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) - serum. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:146.

Ferri FF. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2016 . Philadelphia: PA Elsevier Mosby; 2016:1184-5.

 

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              Tests for Antidiuretic hormone blood test

               
               

              Review Date: 10/28/2015

              Reviewed By: Brent Wisse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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