What is the difference between ADH and Aldosterone?

The significant difference between ADH and aldosterone is that ADH is a peptide hormone made in the hypothalamus. It is comprised of nine amino acids. ADH stands for the Antidiuretic hormone. It moves from the posterior pituitary gland, and then it moves into the bloodstream. ADH is mostly responsible for preserving the water balance in our body.

Aldosterone is a steroid hormone, which is the most important hormone made in the adrenal cortex's zona glomerulosa, which is in the adrenal gland. It operates the distal tubes and amassing ducts of our kidneys, being crucial for the reabsorption of water and the protection of sodium ions.

Aldosterone is dispersed in the blood as a response to elevated K, diminished Na, and low renal perfusion, improving the reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium, impacting the retention of water or the loss of water, blood pressure, and blood volume. Aldosterone is a part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Both hormones increase water reabsorption in the kidneys collecting ducts.

Aldosterone and ADH are both similar in functions because they help to regulate some processes in the body. However, their differences start when you try to compare the mechanisms used by each hormone. ADH or Anti Diuretic Hormone functions majorly by ensuring water retention in the body, most especially during certain body conditions. ADH achieves this by regulating the amount of water being reabsorbed, particularly at the distant tubules. ADH can also reabsorb urea to reabsorb more water. The mechanism used by aldosterone is different. Aldosterone ensures water conservation in the body by reabsorbing sodium. This mechanism follows the concept of dilution because the water will automatically want to maintain the salt balance of the body by reabsorbing more water. The mechanism of aldosterone is more complex compared to ADH. Another difference is that the two hormones are secreted at two different locations. Aldosterone is secreted in the adrenal cortex, while ADH is produced in the hypothalamus.

ADH is also known as the Antidiuretic hormone. Aldosterone is also another type of hormone. They are both hormones that will prompt your kidney to place water back in the blood. The difference is that ADH will be in charge of taking up water while Aldosterone will take up salt. Take note that their effects will also be different but they are always dependent on each other. There should be enough of these hormones so that they can work well. The volume of your urine will also depend on these hormones. The lack or excess of these hormones may show up when you take tests in the hospital or in the clinic.