Familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) is a rare, inherited disorder characterised by selective loss of adipose tissue, often affecting the limbs and gluteal region, and concurrent fat accumulation in the face, neck and intra-abdominal areas. This redistribution leads to profound insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and fatty liver disease. It may be misdiagnosed clinically as type 1 diabetes (T1DM), particularly in patients with lean body habitus, or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) due to insulin resistance. We report a case of a young woman who was initially treated for presumed T1DM but was ultimately diagnosed with FPLD.
This article outlines my journey through the diagnosis and management of postprandial hyperglycaemia, highlighting the challenges, interventions, and insights gleaned along the way
