In: Biology
what does it mean when blood osmolarity is elevated?
In healthy people, when osmolality in the blood becomes high, the body releases antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This hormone causes the kidneys to reabsorb water. This results in more concentrated urine. The reabsorbed water dilutes the blood.
High blood osmolality may be caused by poisoning from:
Low blood osmolality may also be caused by various conditions, including:
excess fluid intake/overhydration
hyponatremia (low sodium)
paraneoplastic syndromes (lung cancer)
syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH)
There are several causes for both high and low blood osmolality.
Some of these causes are less serious than others. Your doctor will
use the information from this test to identify the cause and the
best course of treatment.