Can NDI be caused by low food intake and low body weight in anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa can be associated with DI and deficient secretion of the antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin in someone who has CDI. These deficiencies are slowly reversible if the patient regains and keeps her normal weight for six months or more. NDI has not been demonstrated in anorexia nervosa, but it could also occur because some of the patients with DI do not have a vasopressin deficiency but do have hypokalemia (low potassium), which can interfere with the antidiuretic action of the hormone. It is also possible, if not likely, that some patients with anorexia nervosa have a form of dipsogenic DI due to a reversible abnormality in the thirst mechanism. Therefore, treatment with dDAVP or thiazide diuretics should be given very cautiously since they may produce water intoxication.
