Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare but potentially fatal emergency: case report and literature review
Gómez-Torres, J.Y.; Bravo-Llerena, W.E.; Reyes-Ortiz, L.M.; Valderrábano-Wagner, R.J.; Mariano-Mejías, V.; Brunet-Rodríguez, Héctor.; Lemos-Ramírez, J.C.
Boletin de la Asociacion Medica de Puerto Rico 103(2): 67-74
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-4849 PMID: 22111475 Document Number: 702655
We report a case of a 39 year-old Asian man in whom profound lower limb paralysis, along with severe hypokalemia and electrocardiographic changes, were the presenting features of Graves' disease (GD)-related thyrotoxicosis. Rapid recognition and management of the disorder were the key factors to avoid fatal hypokalemia-induced cardiac arrhythmias and promptly restore patient's capacity to ambulate.