In a patient with no suspicion of cancer, increased ADH levels typically indicate?

Increased levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, typically lead to water retention in the kidneys, which dilutes serum sodium concentration. This physiological response can result in dilutional hyponatremia, a condition where sodium levels in the blood drop due to an excess of water rather than a loss of sodium itself.

When there are high levels of ADH, even in the absence of cancer, the kidneys reabsorb more water from the urine back into the bloodstream. As more water enters circulation without a corresponding increase in sodium, the serum sodium concentration decreases, leading to hyponatremia. This condition can occur in various non-cancerous contexts, such as in response to stress, pain, or certain medications.

The other options relate to different pathophysiological states that are not typically associated with elevated ADH levels in the absence of malignancy. For example, diabetes insipidus involves insufficient levels of ADH or response thereof, leading to excessive urination and possible hypernatremia, rather than hyponatremia. Similarly, hypovolemic shock is a condition associated with low blood volume and may lead to ADH release, but it typically would not present