Thyrotoxicosis presenting as a life threatening hypokalaemic paralysis: investigation of the Na/K pump in isolated leucocytes.
A 37-year-old Chinese man presented with the rapid onset of profound muscle weakness, and a serum potassium of 1.7 mmol/l. The intravenous infusion of undiluted potassium chloride (2 mmol/ml) through a central venous catheter resulted in rapid recovery. Further investigation revealed thyrotoxicosis. He was treated with carbimazole and subsequently remained well. We assessed Na/K pump activity in isolated leucocytes taken from the patient and found an exaggerated response to adrenaline which ceased after he became euthyroid.
Department of Cardiology, Royal Free Hospital, London.
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N
Chronos
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P
Mendel
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RL
Ozin
D000328:Adult; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*
D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase