Key result
Treatment with methimazole and aggressive potassium supplementation led to an uncomplicated hospital course and resolution of symptoms in a 38-year-old man with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.
Why the study?
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is rare in the Western world but rising due to globalization, and can be deadly if not promptly identified and treated.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for young men presenting with weakness and hypokalemia, and can be effectively treated with potassium supplementation and hyperthyroidism management.
May support antithyroid therapy plus potassium repletion in thyrotoxic periodic paralysis; hypothesis-generating and requires confirmation in prospective studies.
Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis (TPP) is a rare diagnosis in the western world; however, its incidence has been rising in recent years due to globalization. This condition has the potential to be deadly if not detected and treated in a time appropriate manner. This case discusses our management of a patient who came into our hospital with complaints of total body numbness and weakness for several hours. He was subsequently diagnosed with TPP and was treated with Methimazole and aggressive potassium supplementation and had an overall good outcome. This case report highlights an unusual disease that needs to be considered as a differential when a young man reports numbness and weakness to the clinician.
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Samad et al. (2021) conducted a case report in Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis (n=1). Methimazole and potassium supplementation was evaluated on Symptom resolution. Treatment with methimazole and aggressive potassium supplementation led to an uncomplicated hospital course and resolution of symptoms in a 38-year-old man with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.
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