Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: diversity in America
Abstract
Background Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a potentially life-threatening complication of thyrotoxicosis, characterized by hypokalemia and muscle paralysis.Objective TPP, although becoming more prevalent in western countries, is still often not recognized due to lack of familiarity and the subtlety of the thyrotoxic symptoms. Early recognition by emergency physicians can prevent potential mortality.Case report A 23-year-old Vietnamese male presented with a 2-h history of complete flaccid quadriplegia and chest tightness. Electrolyte studies revealed a critical potassium level of 1.4 mmol/L. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit where further workup revealed thyrotoxicosis and the patient was subsequently diagnosed with TPP.Conclusions TPP should always be considered as a differential in patients, especially in young males of Asian descent with lower-limb paralysis or weakness. We present this case, followed by a review of the literature.
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Testosterone can increase the activity of the sodium/potassium (Na+/K+) pump resulting in hypokalemia.
“It is theorized that testosterone can increase the activity of the sodium/potassium (Na+/K+) pump resulting in hypokalemia [2].”
From Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis With Hypokalemia: A Case Study (2023) · cites this paper as [2]
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- Authors
- Patel, H., Wilches, L. V., & Guerrero, J.
- Affiliations
- AdventHealth (US)
- Corresponding author
- Guerrero, Jorge
- Venue
- The Journal of Emergency Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2014-06
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 760-762
- ISSN
- 0736-4679 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2098358172
- Cited by
- 19
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 1.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Emergency Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Thyroid Disorders and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Potassium and Related Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
- Keywords
- thyrotoxic periodic paralysis, thyrotoxicosis, hypokalemia, tetraplegia, flaccid paralysis, Asian descent, differential diagnosis, emergency recognition, intensive care unit admission
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Hypokalemia, Male, Potassium, Quadriplegia, Thyrotoxicosis, United States, Vietnam, Young Adult
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