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Health Illustrated Encyclopedia - Disease & Conditions

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Ectopic ADH secretion

Definition:

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), or vasopressin, is a substance produced naturally by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. The hormone controls the amount of water your body removes.

Ectopic ADH secretion is the release of ADH from an abnormal location within the body. Ectopic means "out of place."



Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The most common cause of ectopic ADH secretion is cancer.

See also:



Symptoms:

The abnormal release of ADH makes it harder for the body to remove water. Fluid builds-up in the body. Low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia) can occur.



Signs and tests:



Treatment:

Treatment is aimed at removing the cause of the problem (for example, surgery to remove a tumor producing ADH).

Limiting fluid intake is another common treatment. This helps prevent excess water from building up in the body.

Patients in the hospital with ectopic ADH that does not respond to other treatments may be given tolvaptan by mouth (orally) and conivaptan through a vein (intravenous). These treatments block the effects of ADH.



Support Groups:



Expectations (prognosis):



Complications:



Calling your health care provider:



Prevention:



References:

Lin M, Liu SJ, Lim, IT. Disorders of Water Imbalance. Emerg Med Clin North Am - 2005 Aug; 23(3); 749-770.

Gagel RF. Endocrine Manifestations of Tumors: "Ectopic" Hormone Production. In: Goldman: Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2007: chap 188.




Review Date: 3/18/2008
Reviewed By: Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed byDavid Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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