Diabetes Insipidus
What is Diabetes Insipidus?
Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare disorder that can occur as a consequence of histiocytosis involving the pituitary gland. It should not be confused with the more common diabetes mellitus, also known as sugar diabetes, which results from too much sugar in the blood. Although both disorders have similar symptoms, in every other way including the cause and treatment, they are completely unrelated diseases. The rate of occurrence for DI is not known, because there has been no organized method to count the number of patients.


Diabetes insipidus is a result of damage to the pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the brain which stores and releases a hormone called ADH (antidiuretic hormone), also known as vasopressin. This hormone normally causes the kidney to control the amount of water released as urine from the body. When the pituitary is damaged, the kidneys lose too much water (increased urination), which then leads to increased thirst.

The connection between histiocytosis and diabetes insipidus was first reported in the late 1800s. Since then, DI has been recognized as a characteristic feature of LCH. It is known to also occur in other histiocytic disorders, such as Rosai Dorfman and JXG.

It is believed that approximately between 5% and 50% of LCH patients develop DI depending on the extent of disease. The risk of developing DI in patients with multisystem LCH is 4 to 6 times more than those with single-system disease. Patients with skull, facial, and/or eye bone lesions are at much higher risk of developing DI. This risk is increased further if LCH remains active for a longer period or if it recurs.

Diabetes insipidus is recognized by a great increase in the amount of urine passed (often several gallons per day) and an increased thirst. Any patient with known LCH with an increase in drinking habits or passing large amounts of urine should be tested for DI.

Diabetes insipidus is diagnosed with a water deprivation test, which measures changes in body weight, blood values, urine output, and urine composition when fluids are withheld over a several-hour period. It is very important that this test be supervised by a knowledgeable physician in a medical setting. An x-ray test called an MRI scan is sometimes performed to see if there is change in the brain and pituitary area, but this test alone cannot diagnose DI.

Diabetes insipidus is usually a permanent, lifelong condition and cannot be cured. However, the symptoms of constant thirst and urination can be well controlled with treatment with DDAVP, a synthetic kind of vasopressin, and normal, symptom-free quality of life can be restored.



1. What is the difference in diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus?
Two different types of hormones are involved: diabetes insipidus due to impaired production by the pituitary gland of a hormone called antidiuretic hormone and may occur as a consequence of histiocytosis. Diabetes mellitus, on the other hand, results from too much sugar in the blood, due to impaired insulin production by the pancreas. Although both disorders have similar symptoms of increased thirst and urination, in every other way including the cause and treatment, they are completely unrelated diseases.

2. What are the chances my child will develop diabetes insipidus?
DI occurs in as many as 25% of all patients and as many as 50% of patients with multisystem LCH.

3. Why is it important that the testing for DI be done in a clinic/hospital?
The water-deprivation test is a complicated procedure that requires highly trained medical professionals to perform specialized measurements. The body’s water balance must be carefully monitored during the procedure to prevent rapid and dangerous dehydration.

4. How is a water deprivation test done?
This test includes timed measurements (some done every hour and others done every other hour) of blood pressure, pulse, weight, urine, and blood. Fluid is withheld during testing. The test may take up to 8 hours to complete, but it may be stopped sooner, depending on lab results. Further information and instructions will be provided by your physician.

5. Can diabetes insipidus be reversed?
Once DI has been diagnosed, the chance of reversal is uncommon. However, it has been reported in some cases where treatment was started within a few days of symptom onset.

6. Can diabetes insipidus occur before the diagnosis of LCH?
DI can be the first presenting symptom, although one-half of these patients develop LCH lesions within 1 year after the onset of diabetes insipidus.

7. Can diabetes insipidus due to LCH occur when there is no known involvement anywhere else?
Yes. It is believed that this occurs in less than 10% of patients. The diagnosis is made from biopsy of the tumor in the pituitary stalk.

8. Can diabetes insipidus in LCH be prevented?
There is evidence that a rapid start of chemotherapy after onset of multisystem LCH may prevent DI.



Diabetes insipidus Newsfeed

pubmed: diabetes insipidus

NCBI: db=pubmed; Term=diabetes insipidus

Related Articles

Neuroimaging of central diabetes insipidus-when, how and findings.

Neuroradiology. 2018 Aug 10;:

Authors: Adams NC, Farrell TP, O'Shea A, O'Hare A, Thornton J, Power S, Brennan P, Looby S

Central or neurogenic diabetes insipidus (CDI) is due to deficient synthesis or secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as arginine vasopressin peptide (AVP). It is clinically characterised by polydipsia and polyuria (urine output > 30 mL/kg/day) of dilute urine (< 250 mOsm/L). It is the result of a defect in one of more sites involving the hypothalamic osmoreceptors, supraoptic or paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, median eminence of the hypothalamus, infundibulum or the posterior pituitary gland. A focused MRI pituitary gland or sella protocol is essential. There are several neuroimaging correlates and causes of CDI, illustrated in this review. The most common causes are benign or malignant neoplasms of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (25%), surgery (20%), head trauma (16%) or familial causes (10%). No cause is identified in up to 30% of cases. Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal axis is crucial when evaluating a patient with CDI. Establishing the aetiology of CDI with MRI in combination with clinical and biochemical assessment facilitates appropriate targeted treatment. The aim of the pictorial review is to illustrate the wide variety of causes of CDI on neuroimaging, highlight the optimal MRI protocol and to revise the detailed neuroanatomy and neurophysiology required to interpret these studies.

PMID: 30097693 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Please use the form below to contact Histio UK



Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)


Your Message

Please answer the question