DIABETIC TAKES FLACK OVER DRUG TEST

Dear Dr. Donohue:

I am a very healthy 36-year-old man who was diagnosed with nephrogenic
diabetes insipidus at age 2. Because of this, my urine is dilute.

Recently I had to undergo a mandatory drug test. The test results came
back as being diluted, and I was accused of drinking a lot of water in
order to pass the test. My explanation has fallen on deaf ears.

Is there any medicine I can take to stop the dilution?

M.M.--

The literal meaning of "diabetes" is "excessive urination."

People are familiar with sugar diabetes-excessive urination due to
high blood sugar.

Most, however, are not familiar with another kind, diabetes insipidus.
That' s excessive urination because there's a deficient supply of a
pituitary hormone called antidiuretic hormone- ADH- or because the
kidneys do not respond to the ADH hormone. The hormone stops the
formation of urine to keep the body in fluid balance.

People with either kind of diabetes insipidus produce such prodigious
amounts of dilute urine that they must make constant trips to the
bathroom to empty the bladder.

Who is rejecting your explanation for having dilute urine? If it's an
employer, bring in a statement from your doctor.

If the employer still refuses to accept the explanation, ask a lawyer
to step in and reinforce the medical explanation with the legal
explanation of the ramifications that arise from discriminating
against people on the basis of a medical condition that does not
affect their work. If it's an insurer, ask to speck with the medical
director of the insurance company.

For people with a defective production of ADH hormone, supplying the
hormone in medicine form cures the problem. For those with nephrogenic
diabetes insipidus, water pills can sometimes slow down urine
production. That sounds paradoxical, but it works - when needed. It
doesn't sound like you need it.