Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: a case study and review of the literature
Open accessAbstract
Acute hypokalemic paralysis is a rare cause of acute weakness. Morbidity and mortality associated with unrecognized disease can occur and include respiratory failure and possibly death. Common causes of hypokalemic paralysis include thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) which is a disorder most frequently seen in Asian males. TPP is characterized by sudden onset of hypokalemia and paralysis that primarily affects the lower extremities. Treatment of TPP includes replacing potassium rapidly, using nonselective beta-blockade and correcting the underlying hyperthyroidism as soon as possible. TPP is curable once euthyroid state is achieved. It is vital for physicians to be able to differentiate TPP from familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis, a more common cause of periodic paralysis in Caucasians and western countries. We describe a 19-year-old Caucasian man who presented with acute onset lower extremity paralysis secondary to acute hypokalemia and was found to have new onset Graves’ disease.Abbreviations: TPP: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis
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TPP is more common in males than in females, about a 26:1 difference, despite the higher incidence of thyrotoxicosis in females.
“Interestingly, it is more common in males than in females; about a 26:1 difference despite the higher incidence of thyrotoxicosis in females [1].”
From Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis With Hypokalemia: A Case Study (2023) · cites this paper as [1]
TPP is most prevalent in Asian and Hispanic populations.
“Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare complication of thyrotoxicosis seen in young adults and is most prevalent in Asian and Hispanic populations [1].”
From Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis With Hypokalemia: A Case Study (2023) · cites this paper as [1]
The incidence of TPP is 2% in Asian populations and 0.1%-0.2% in North Americans.
“The incidence is 2% in Asian populations and 0.1%-0.2% in North Americans.”
From Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis With Hypokalemia: A Case Study (2023) · cites this paper as [1]
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare complication of thyrotoxicosis seen in young adults.
“Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare complication of thyrotoxicosis seen in young adults and is most prevalent in Asian and Hispanic populations [1].”
From Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis With Hypokalemia: A Case Study (2023) · cites this paper as [1]
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- Authors
- Meseeha, M., Parsamehr, B., Kissell, K., & Attia, M.
- Affiliations
- Department of Internal Medicine, Guthrie Medical Group, PC, Sayre, PA, USA
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Guthrie Medical Group, PC, Sayre, PA, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, Guthrie Medical Group, PC, Sayre, PA, USA
- Corresponding author
- Meseeha, Marcelle
- ORCID
- Meseeha, Marcelle
- Venue
- Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives
- Publisher
- Greater Baltimore Medical Center
- Published
- 2017-04-03
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 103-106
- ISSN
- 2000-9666 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5473192
- OpenAlex
- W2622126185
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3
- FWCI
- 2.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- 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 › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
- Keywords
- thyrotoxic periodic paralysis, hypokalemic paralysis, hypokalemia, Graves' disease, hyperthyroidism, lower limb weakness, beta-adrenergic blockade, potassium supplementation, familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis, differential diagnosis
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