ADH – ANTI DIURETIC HORMONE

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as arginine vasopressin (AVP), plays a pivotal role in regulating your body’s water balance. Produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland in response to changes in blood volume, ADH acts on the kidneys, prompting them to retain water and produce concentrated urine. This hormone’s action leads to effects such as diluting blood, lowering blood osmolality, increasing blood volume, and consequently, elevating blood pressure. If the water balance isn’t restored, your brain triggers thirst, prompting increased water intake. Imbalances in ADH levels or kidney response can lead to excess or insufficient ADH production. Insufficient ADH may result in excessive thirst, frequent urination, dehydration, and high blood sodium levels, indicating potential health issues affecting water regulation in the body.