Key result
Intravenous potassium correction and propylthiouracil therapy successfully resolved sudden limb weakness and severe hypokalemia in a 44-year-old man with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.
Why the study?
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a complication of hyperthyroidism that causes sudden hypokalemia and muscle weakness, but very few cases have been reported in Indonesia.
Case Report (n=1)
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a rare but reversible cause of sudden muscle weakness and severe hypokalemia that responds to potassium correction and antithyroid therapy.
May support acute management of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis; hypothesis-generating pending controlled trials.
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a complication of hyperthyroidism. Lead to sudden hypokalemia and muscle weakness. In most cases, it is found mainly in young adult males of the Asian race. The paralysis is temporary and will return with potassium correction. There are very few cases reported in Indonesia regarding these cases of TPP. In our case, a 44-year old man complained of weakness that started later in the limbs but quickly improved. This case was diagnosed late at first, and uncorrected potassium levels led to recurrent paralysis. Laboratory test results showed severe hypokalemia (potassium level 1.81 mmol/L). The thyroxine level (T4) was 44.12 pmol/L and low serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) <0.0025 IU/mL.
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Pinzon et al. (2022) conducted a case report in Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (n=1). Potassium chloride and propylthiouracil was evaluated on Resolution of symptoms. Intravenous potassium correction and propylthiouracil therapy successfully resolved sudden limb weakness and severe hypokalemia in a 44-year-old man with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.
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