How Does Diabetes Insipidus Affect Sodium Levels?

Diabetes insipidus is a rare condition that leads to excessive urination. This can lead to severe dehydration and high sodium levels — and these can mean serious complications.

Having high levels of sodium is called hypernatremia. While it’s not always serious, in some cases, it can lead to seizures, coma, and death.

Diabetes insipidus doesn’t always cause dangerously high sodium levels, but this is a potential complication of the condition.

If you’re experiencing excessive thirst, low energy, and muscle spasms, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor.

Read on to learn more about how diabetes insipidus affects sodium levels.

What causes diabetes insipidus?

Diabetes insipidus is broken into two types: central and nephrogenic. You may see these currently referred to as arginine-vasopressin deficiency and arginine-vasopressin resistance.

Several causes of diabetes insipidus include:

• autoimmune conditions
• genetics
• birth defects of the pituitary gland
• traumatic brain injuries
• cancer

Often, people who have diabetes insipidus make too little of a hormone called vasopressin ( antidiuretic hormone ).

Sometimes people make enough of this hormone, but their kidneys are unable to use it correctly. This hormone helps the kidneys control fluid levels, so without it, the body produces too much urine.

When the body loses fluids faster than they can replace it, electrolytes and sodium can build up in the body.

Still, not everyone with diabetes insipidus experiences high sodium levels. It’s just one of a variety of complications associated with the condition.

Types of diabetes insipidus and sodium

Several types of diabetes insipidus include:

• central
• gestational
• nephrogenic
• dipsogenic
• adipsic

One type, called adipsic diabetes insipidus, is specifically linked to sodium levels. With this form of the condition, people don’t feel thirsty even when sodium levels in their body are very high.

Adipsic diabetes insipidus is typically linked to a type of brain tumor called craniopharyngioma .

All types of diabetes insipidus are uncommon, but adipsic diabetes insipidus is extremely rare. It’s estimated that fewer than 100 cases have been documented in the past 100 years.

Symptoms

People with diabetes insipidus who are experiencing high sodium levels can experience:

• large amounts of urine
• excessive thirst
• low energy
• clear urine
• muscle twitching
• muscle spasms

If you develop severe hypernatremia, it can lead to:

• seizure
• loss of consciousness
• coma
• death

Diabetes insipidus and hypernatremia

While diabetes insipidus doesn’t directly cause hypernatremia, the two are linked.

Diabetes insipidus can cause a loss of fluids, and that can lead to hypernatremia. Treating diabetes insipidus can help prevent hypernatremia.

Hyponatremia and diabetes insipidus

Hyponatremia means low levels of sodium in the blood.

Diabetes insipidus doesn’t typically cause hyponatremia, but the two conditions can sometimes be linked. For instance, this can happen when use of a medication to treat diabetes insipidus, called desmopressin, can reduce sodium levels.

Also, surgery to the pituitary gland can lead to both diabetes insipidus and hyponatremia. Spinal cord injuries are another known risk factor for both conditions.

Does diet play a role?

There is some evidence to suggest that diet and nutrition can play a role in both diabetes insipidus and hypernatremia.

A diet that’s low in sodium can help manage the symptoms of both conditions and reduce your risk of dehydration. If you have diabetes insipidus, speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian before trying anything new with your diet.

Complications

Hypernatremia can lead to severe complications like seizures, coma, and death. Treatment can help reduce the risk of these complications.

When to contact a doctor

It’s a good idea to contact a doctor if you notice changes in how much you’ve been urinating.

People with diabetes insipidus can produce up to 20 liters (just over 5 gallons) of urine per day.

However, diabetes insipidus isn’t the only condition that can cause an increase in urine production. Your doctor can run tests that will help them make an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment

The treatment for diabetes insipidus and hypernatremia depends on factors such as the severity of your condition and your symptoms. A doctor can help create the right treatment plan for you.

Common options include :

• staying hydrated day and night
• sucking on ice cubes throughout the day
• reducing sodium in your diet
• taking desmopressin
• taking diuretic medications

Learn more about treatment options for diabetes insipidus .

The bottom line

Diabetes insipidus can lead to dehydration and hypernatremia (high levels of sodium). This can increase the risk of serious complications including seizures, coma, and death.

Treatments, such as staying hydrated and taking medication, can help prevent complications. A doctor can help determine the best treatment for you.