The amount of water needs to be carefully controlled by the body in order to maintain a consistent amount of internal fluids at all times. One hormone that is a critical part of this process is antidiuretic hormone, which controls the amount of urine produced by the kidneys. Conditions which cause either too much or too little antidiuretic hormone to be made can result in a myriad of symptoms.
Urine Output
Patients will depressed levels of antidiuretic hormones will produce copious amounts of urine. Antidiuretic hormones signals to the kidneys to retain water, notes MedlinePlus. If antidiuretic hormone levels are unusually low, the kidneys will produce large volumes of diluted urine, according to MayoClinic.com. Conversely, unusually high levels of antidiuretic hormones will cause patients to urinate very little.
Thirst
Patients with unusually low levels of antidiuretic hormones will experience extreme thirst. This is due to the high urine output that leads to dehydration. The body will increase the thirst response in an attempt to replenish the lost water.
Mental Status
Unusually high or low levels of antidiuretic hormones can lead to changes in mental status, notes The Merck Manuals. These include confusion, irritability and sluggishness. These symptoms are a result of changes in the amount of sodium in the blood as a result of the amount of water present. High amounts of water dilutes the blood's supply of sodium, resulting in a condition known as hyponatremia. Loss of water due to excessive urine output, on the other hand, results in an elevated sodium concentration, also known as hypernatremia.
Neurological Symptoms
Hyponatremia and hypernatremia can also cause neurological symptoms. These include paralysis, hallucinations, coma and seizures. Milder symptoms include diminished consciousness and alertness. The changes in the sodium concentration in the brain's blood causes the nearby brain cells to swell or shrink, depending on the type of antidiuretic hormone imbalance. These neurological changes are a result of the change in the size of the neurons, or brain cells.
Nausea
If too much antidiuretic hormone is produced, nausea and vomiting may result. This is part of the brain's reaction to changes in the electrolyte balance, and is related to the neurological symptoms of hyponatremia and hypernatremia.
