MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Ectopic ADH secretion

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Ectopic ADH secretion

Contents of this page:
Definition

Definition

ADH is anti-diuretic hormone, a normal hormone in the body. An anti-diuretic reduces the amount of water your body eliminates. Ectopic ADH secretion is the production and release of ADH at a site other than the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. This makes your body unable to eliminate water appropriately, resulting in hyponatremia (low sodium in your blood).

The most common cause of ectopic ADH secretion is cancer (for example, small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer). See also syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH) and the ADH test.

Update Date: 10/30/2003

Updated by: Irfan A. Agha, M.D., Department of Medicine, Renal Division, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician 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. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.