Abstract |
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is characterized by the presence of muscle paralysis, hypokalemia, and hyperthyroidism. We report the case of a young man with paralysis of the lower extremities, severe hypokalemia, and concurrent hyperthyroidism. TPP was suspected; therefore, treatment consisting of judicious potassium (K+) repletion and β-blocker administration was initiated. However, urinary K+ excretion rate, as well as refractoriness to treatment, was inconsistent with TPP. Chronic alcoholism was considered as an alternative cause of hypokalemia, and serum K+ was restored through vigorous K repletion and the addition of K+ -sparing diuretics. The presence of thyrotoxicosis and hypokalemia does not always indicate a diagnosis of TPP. Exclusion of TPP can be accomplished by immediate evaluation of urinary K+ excretion, acid-base status, and the amount of potassium chloride required to correct hypokalemia at presentation.
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Authors | Ming-Hsien Tsai, Shih-Hua Lin, Jyh-Gang Leu, Yu-Wei Fang |
Journal | Medicine
(Medicine (Baltimore))
Vol. 94
Issue 39
Pg. e1689
(Sep 2015)
ISSN: 1536-5964 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 26426670
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Alcoholism
(complications, diagnosis)
- Chronic Disease
- Humans
- Hyperthyroidism
(complications, diagnosis)
- Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis
(complications, diagnosis)
- Male
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