Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH, Vasopressin), Urine

Clinical Significance:
Anti-Diuretic Hormone is a hormone released by the neurohypophysis.  It has potent anti-diuretic and vasopressor activities.  It is released with its carrier protein Neurophysin.  Anti-Diuretic Hormone measurement gives a good indicator of posterior pituitary function and activity.  Secretion of Anti-Diuretic Hormone is primarily controlled by the osmotic pressure of the plasma.  Blood pressure, blood volume, nausea, hypoglycemia, and Angiotensin are other factors regulating Anti-Diuretic Hormone secretion.  Urinary Anti-Diuretic Hormone levels are increased by water deprivation and increased by hydration.  Urinary Anti-Diuretic Hormone levels are often increased in patients with essential hypertension, Kwashiorkor disease and edema.

Reference Range:
Hydrated:                                        10 –  50 ng/24 hours
Dehydrated:                                  100 – 450 ng/24 hours

Procedure:
Anti-Diuretic Hormone is measured by direct EIA/ELISA.
 
Patient Preparation:
Patient should not be on diuretics, hypertension, or blood pressure medication, if possible, for at least 48 hours prior to collection of specimen.

Specimen Collection:
10 ml of a 24 hour urine collection should be submitted for analysis. No special preservatives are required. Store specimen refrigerated during collection. Specimens should be frozen prior to shipping. Minimum specimen size is 5 ml.

Shipping Instructions:
Ship specimens frozen in dry ice. Provide the total volume per 24 hours.

References:
1. H Gavras.  Role of Vasopressin in Clinical Hypertension and Congestive Cardiac Failure:  Interaction with the Sympathetic Nervous System.  Clinical Chemistry 37: 1828-1830, 1991.

2. SG Srikantia and M Monanram.  Antidiuretic Hormone Values in Plasma and Urine of Malnourished Children.  Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 31: 312, 1970.