Ask the Doc: Cause of diarrhea at night?

Q. I am 30 years old. My question is that for the last 6 months I have been getting really sick during the night. I have hypothyroidism, and am really hypoglycemic. It wakes me up at all hours of the night and running to bathroom with diarrhea. I called my doctor about 2 months ago and did a stool culture, but nothing showed up. I am at loss!! I have no idea what is going on with me? Is it stress?? I am going to school, but I don’t feel that stressed out. I am not on any thyroid med because for the last year my thyroid has been normal, I just had it checked two months ago. I had a really nasty stomach flu about 6 months ago, ever since then my stools are not normal. I am fine one minute and then sick the next. No throwing up, just the other end. All I know is I want to feel better. Any suggestions??? I am also wondering if I could have some sort of wheat or milk allergy? I eat a lot of wheat being hypoglycemic. And I do notice sometimes after having something from milk in my food, sometimes I wake up sick. The weird thing is that it happens in the night most. I do not feel like it is heart burn. Thank you for listening!! I would appreciate any suggestions!!

A. Any nocturnal diarrhea needs to be aggressively investigated. Celiac disease is a real possibility as is inflammatory bowel disease. Diabetes can present like this, and post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome is an outside possibility. You must see a gastroenterologist soon.

Health and happiness,

Dr. Jeffrey Aron
Gastroenterologist, San Francisco

(Dr. Aron is no longer taking questions.)