A Lipemic Sample?

Hayden, Joshua A.; Baird, Geoffrey S.

doi:10.1373/clinchem.2014.226613

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

(3 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…[12][13][14] Other rarer causes include familial hypercholesterolaemia, adult lymphoblastic leukaemia and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency. [15][16][17] The proposed mechanism behind HT in DKA is insulin deficiency, resulting in lipolysis and the release of free fatty acids (FFAs) from adipose tissues. The release of glucagon in response to starvation also contributes in part to the subsequent lipolysis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strawberry pink blood: hypertriglyceridaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis secondary to poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A 54-year-old woman with insulin-requiring type 2 diabetes mellitus presented with acute shortness of breath and drowsiness on a background of polydipsia, weakness and significant weight loss. One year ago, she had decided to stop her insulin and other medications and adopt lifestyle modifications instead. Initial emergency department (ED) blood samples were highly lipaemic and appeared strawberry pink. She was eventually diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with severe hypertriglyceridaemia, intubated for airway protection, and managed with fluid resuscitation and intravenous insulin to good effect. We share an uncommon DKA presentation at the ED. History was limited as the patient was drowsy and minimally communicative. Physical examination was unremarkable. Blood investigations were also delayed in view of the need for additional centrifugation. These contributed to a paucity of information in the acute setting and resulted in a diagnostic challenge.

show abstract