Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) test
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About Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) test
The ADH test is used to measure the amount of ADH in the blood. Antidiuretic hormone, also known as arginine vasopressin (AVP), is a crucial hormone responsible for maintaining water balance within the body. This hormone’s primary function is to regulate the reabsorption of water by the kidneys during the filtration process, ensuring optimal water levels in the body.
Getting this test done is recommended as it can help in diagnosing the underlying cause of ADH deficiency, resistance to its effects, or conditions such as syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH) characterized by excessive secretion of ADH.
This test is also known as
Vasopressin, ADH, Arginine Vasopressin, AVP
Symptoms of water intoxication
This test is commonly done when a person has unexplained low blood sodium levels or exhibits symptoms related to the syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH). In cases where SIADH develops gradually, there may not be any symptoms, but if the condition occurs suddenly, individuals may exhibit the signs and symptoms typically linked to water intoxication, which include
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Headache
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Confusion
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Nausea or vomiting
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In severe cases, coma and convulsions
Why is an ADH test done?
An ADH blood test may be requested by your healthcare provider if they suspect that you may have a condition that impacts your ADH level, such as
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Buildup of fluids in your body causing swelling (edema)
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Urinating excessively
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Low sodium level in blood
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Uncontrollable thirst
Test preparation
Please tell your doctor if you are taking any medications before undergoing the test, as certain medications may interfere with the accuracy of the test results.
Interpretation of the Test Results
The acceptable range of ADH values may slightly differ between laboratories. This could be due to variations in measurement techniques, or the type of samples being tested.
| Hormone | Normal range |
|---|---|
| ADH | 0 to 5.9 picograms per millilitre (pg/mL) |
Higher than normal ADH levels may indicate:
- SIADH
- Brain injury
- Brain tumours
- Fluid imbalance after surgery
- Infection in the brain
- Infection in the lungs
- Small cell carcinoma lung cancer
- Stroke
Lower than normal ADH levels may indicate:
- Damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
- Central diabetes insipidus (a condition in which the kidneys are unable to conserve water)
- Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
- Excessive fluid in the blood vessels
FAQs on Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) test
A blood sample is collected from a vein in your arm using a small needle. Usually, this procedure does not take more than 5 minutes.
The test result for an ADH test is usually available within 8 working days after the sample collection. This duration may vary depending upon the diagnostic clinic.
This test involves negligible risk. There might be slight soreness or tenderness around the site where the blood is drawn. Rarely, the site can become infected.
The anti-desmoglein III antibody test helps in detecting whether there are antibodies to DSG3 present or not, but it is not specifically used to identify a particular type of pemphigus.
A few medicines that could interfere with the ADH test result include:
- Diuretics
- Blood pressure medicines
- Insulin
- Anti-depression medicines
- Nicotine
- Steroids
ADH production temporarily increases when an individual is in an upright position, during the night, and with pain, exercise, and stress. Conversely, ADH production reduces with hypertension or when a person is lying down.
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) test
