
May 28, 1999
Diabetes Insipidus, Family Planning
Question from Bombay, India:
Is there a possibility of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy precipitating diabetes insipidus? What is the syndrome called and why does this happen if it does?
Answer:
Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus are two different diseases. Diabetes insipidus results from insufficient amounts of the hormone called Antidiuretic Hormone (“ADH”; also called arginine vasopressin). This is a pituitary hormone that helps the kidney regulate water excretion. Very high blood sugar can cause excessive urination, but the mechanism is different from the problem seen in diabetes insipidus.
There is a possibility of transient diabetes insipidus during pregnancy. This may require treatment, and usually resolves after the pregnancy is over.
OWJ