What Is Diabetes Insipidus?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
8. Diagnosis
To determine whether a person has diabetes insipidus, a doctor first tests a urine sample for glucose to rule out diabetes mellitus and to determine whether the urine is overly diluted. The patient then undergoes a fluid deprivation test in which body weight and blood sodium levels are tested during a period of refraining from liquids.
Blood tests help determine whether glucose and electrolytes are at normal levels. Magnetic resonance imaging provides images of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and can reveal damage that might impede normal functioning. Lastly, genetic tests are performed if other members of the family have similar symptoms.
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