Understanding vasopressin

Vasopressin works on the kidneys, adjusting how much water is retained in the body or excreted in urine, and ultimately controlling the concentration of the blood. Vasopressin deficiency is known as Diabetes Insipidus (DI), which is characterised by the production of large volumes of dilute urine and constant thirst.

DI literally means the passage of copious volumes of urine ‘lacking taste’, in contrast to the ‘sweet tasting’ urine typical of diabetes mellitus.