Abstract

Persons with diabetes mellitus often have disordered gastrointestinal function, usually attributed to autonomic neuropathy. Hypoglycemia in persons taking insulin has been considered a possible result of anorexia and gastric atony, but not a potential cause of gastrointestinal symptoms. Three patients with diabetes developing before age 30 yr and of long duration had severe gastrointestinal complaints for 1–9 mo, with symptoms suggesting nocturnal hypoglycemia. All recovered rapidly with no specific treatment other than reduction of insulin doses. Studies identified no gastrointestinal pathology. These patients may represent a subgroup of persons with diabetic enteropathy, in whom recurrent hypoglycemia provokes a reversible derangement of gut function with accompanying symptoms.