Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), also known as Type I diabetes or juvenile diabetes, is a
disorder of glucose homeostasis in which the body’s ability to produce insulin is impaired. People
suffering from IDDM experience high blood sugar levels, increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme
tiredness, and weight loss (despite an increased appetite). These symptoms can result in long-term
complications that affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and blood vessels. —from OMIM
Diabetes insipidus is a disorder that results from underproduction of ADH. Both diabetes mellitus and
diabetes insipidus result in a large increase of urine output. Explain how a urine sample produced by a
patient with diabetes mellitus and a urine sample produced by a patient with diabetes insipidus are different.
A urine sample produced by a patient with diabetes mellitus will typically contain high levels of glucose. This is because the body is unable to properly regulate blood sugar levels due to a lack of insulin, leading to excess glucose being filtered into the urine. In addition to glucose, the urine may also contain ketones, which are byproducts of fat metabolism that accumulate when the body cannot use glucose for energy.
On the other hand, a urine sample produced by a patient with diabetes insipidus will not contain glucose or ketones. Instead, the urine will be very dilute due to the inability of the kidneys to concentrate urine properly. This is a result of the underproduction of ADH, which normally helps the kidneys retain water and concentrate urine. Patients with diabetes insipidus will have excessive thirst and drink large amounts of fluids, leading to the production of large volumes of dilute urine.
In summary, a urine sample from a patient with diabetes mellitus will be concentrated and contain high levels of glucose and ketones, while a urine sample from a patient with diabetes insipidus will be very dilute due to the inability to concentrate urine properly.