We assessed the effects of the inhibition of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthesis with Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on water and sodium handling after NaCl load containing the inhibitor at 0, 0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg in conscious control, hyper- and hypothyroid rats. L-NAME at 0.5 mg/kg caused a similar decrease in diuresis and natriuresis in control and hypothyroid rats, whereas no changes were seen in the hyperthyroid group. The saline load with 5 mg/kg of L-NAME produced no significant changes with respect to the 0 dose in any variable in control and hypothyroid rats, but increased natriuresis in the hyperthyroid group. The highest dose of L-NAME (50 mg/kg) increased the diuretic and natriuretic response in control and hyperthyroid groups, whereas in the hypothyroid group no urinary variable was significantly modified with respect to the 0 dose. These results indicate that the antidiuretic and antinatriuretic effects of L-NAME at low doses are suppressed in hyperthyroid rats, whereas the diuretic and natriuretic effects at high doses are absent in hypothyroid rats. Our findings suggest that the modulatory role of NO on sodium and water excretion is affected in both thyroid disorders. In addition, the highest dose of L-NAME killed hyperthyroid rats, indicating that NO plays an essential role for life in hyperthyroidism.