Skip to main content
Article
Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis: An Incidental Diagnosis!
Internal Medicine
  • Jennifer Batch Joudi, MD, HCA Healthcare
  • Muhammad Jahngir, HCA Healthcare
  • Ismael Rodriguez, MD, HCA Healthcare
Division
South Atlantic
Hospital
Orange Park Medical Center
Document Type
Case Report
Publication Date
2-19-2020
Keywords
  • thyrotoxicity,
  • hypokalemia,
  • paralysis,
  • na-k atpase,
  • graves' disease
Abstract

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a rare presentation of thyrotoxicosis where the patient develops a transient motor deficit secondary to acute hypokalemia. The thyroid hormone augments gene transcription and post-transcriptional modification of Na-K ATPase, a cell membrane protein that regulates the electrical potential of the cell. Na-K ATPase increases active transport of potassium (K+) ions into the intracellular compartment causing hypokalemia without total body potassium deficit. Severe hypokalemia affects depolarization of the muscle cell membrane, clinically evidenced as paralysis. Other factors that may trigger hypokalemia and paralysis in the setting of hyperthyroidism include diet intake high in carbohydrates and salt, alcohol ingestion, trauma, infections, certain medication, and strenuous exercise. This rare but possible clinical presentation of thyrotoxicosis is significantly more predominant in males of Asian descent. We are reporting a case of a 44-year-old Asian-American male who presented to the emergency department with complaints of acute onset of bilateral lower extremity weakness. He had severe hypokalemia and was diagnosed with primary hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease.

Publisher or Conference
Cureus
Citation Information
Batch J T, Jahngir M U, Rodriguez I (February 19, 2020) Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis: An Incidental Diagnosis!. Cureus 12(2): e7041. doi:10.7759/cureus.7041