The abbreviation for antidiuretic hormone (also called vasopressin), which is released from the posterior part of the pituitary gland and acts on the kidneys to increase their reabsorption of water into the blood. ADH reduces the amount of water lost in the urine and helps to control the body’s overall water balance. ADH production is controlled by the hypothalamus. Various factors can affect ADH production and thus disturb the body’s water balance, including drinking alcohol, the disorder diabetes insipidus, or a major operation.
ADH |
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