Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis

الملخص EN

Hypolalemic periodic paralysis is an uncommon com¬-plication of thyrotoxicosis.

It usually affects men of Orien-¬tal origin and presents with acute and profound muscle weakness especially of the lower extremities.

We report a 46 year old man from Kuwait with sudden paralysis of both legs.

Physical examination showed signs of thyrotoxicosis and laboratory tests revealed severe hypokalemia, very low serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and very high free thy¬-roxin.

The motor deficit regressed within S hours of SO mmol of KC / infusion.

Awareness of such a problem is es¬sential to avoid life threatening cardiac arrhythmia.

Once recognized the treatment is simple and the prognosis is excellent.