Case Report

Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman with Celiac Disease

Volume: 10 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
TR EN

Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman with Celiac Disease

Abstract

Tirzepatide, a dual agonist of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, has demonstrated marked efficacy in glycemic control and weight reduction but is frequently associated with gastrointestinal adverse effects. Data on its safety in patients with celiac disease are limited. We describe a 40-year-old woman with well-controlled celiac disease on a strict gluten-free diet who developed severe watery diarrhea immediately after the first 2.5 mg dose of tirzepatide, initiated for weight management. She experienced up to ten diarrheal episodes per day with dehydration and fatigue, requiring intravenous fluid replacement. Laboratory evaluation revealed mild hypokalemia and elevated AST. No infectious or dietary triggers were identified. Tirzepatide was discontinued, resulting in complete symptom resolution. Gastrointestinal intolerance is a known dose-dependent adverse effect of tirzepatide; however, such acute and severe reactions at the starting dose are uncommon. The coexistence of celiac disease may have increased susceptibility to enteric side effects through altered intestinal mucosal or immune mechanisms. This case highlights the potential for severe gastrointestinal intolerance to tirzepatide, even at low doses, in patients with celiac disease. Careful monitoring and individualized risk assessment are recommended when prescribing tirzepatide to patients with pre-existing gastrointestinal disorders.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Endocrinology

Journal Section

Case Report

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

December 27, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1

APA
Topaloğlu, Ö., Elma, Y., & Bayraktaroğlu, T. (2026). Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman with Celiac Disease. Turkish Journal of Diabetes and Obesity, 10(1), 112-115. https://izlik.org/JA57GJ58KT
AMA
1.Topaloğlu Ö, Elma Y, Bayraktaroğlu T. Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman with Celiac Disease. Turk J Diab Obes. 2026;10(1):112-115. https://izlik.org/JA57GJ58KT
Chicago
Topaloğlu, Ömercan, Yusuf Elma, and Taner Bayraktaroğlu. 2026. “Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman With Celiac Disease”. Turkish Journal of Diabetes and Obesity 10 (1): 112-15. https://izlik.org/JA57GJ58KT.
EndNote
Topaloğlu Ö, Elma Y, Bayraktaroğlu T (April 1, 2026) Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman with Celiac Disease. Turkish Journal of Diabetes and Obesity 10 1 112–115.
IEEE
[1]Ö. Topaloğlu, Y. Elma, and T. Bayraktaroğlu, “Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman with Celiac Disease”, Turk J Diab Obes, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 112–115, Apr. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA57GJ58KT
ISNAD
Topaloğlu, Ömercan - Elma, Yusuf - Bayraktaroğlu, Taner. “Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman With Celiac Disease”. Turkish Journal of Diabetes and Obesity 10/1 (April 1, 2026): 112-115. https://izlik.org/JA57GJ58KT.
JAMA
1.Topaloğlu Ö, Elma Y, Bayraktaroğlu T. Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman with Celiac Disease. Turk J Diab Obes. 2026;10:112–115.
MLA
Topaloğlu, Ömercan, et al. “Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman With Celiac Disease”. Turkish Journal of Diabetes and Obesity, vol. 10, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 112-5, https://izlik.org/JA57GJ58KT.
Vancouver
1.Ömercan Topaloğlu, Yusuf Elma, Taner Bayraktaroğlu. Severe Diarrhea Following Tirzepatide Therapy in a Woman with Celiac Disease. Turk J Diab Obes [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 1;10(1):112-5. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA57GJ58KT

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