Severe Hypertriglyceridemia Leading to Acute Pancreatitis in a Case of Diabetic Ketoacidosis: A Report of Type IV Familial Hyperlipidemia

We describe an uncommon instance of a female patient, age 35, with type 1 diabetes mellitus who developed DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) that was exacerbated by acute pancreatitis and severe hypertriglyceridemia. The patient had abdominal pain, vomiting, and biochemical evidence of DKA upon admission. Physical examination was notable for xanthomas, and laboratory tests showed extremely high triglyceride levels and milky plasma. Clinical improvement resulted from the patient receiving IV insulin treatment and lipid-lowering medications. This example emphasizes the significance of early diagnosis and treatment when hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis complicates DKA.