Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: reports of seven patients presenting with weakness in an Asian emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
This study was done to describe the features of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in young Asian men.


METHODS
Seven male patients were enlisted who presented to the emergency department over a period of three years with weakness and paralysis in the morning.


RESULTS
Initial electrolyte studies revealed hypokalaemia in these patients, and later thyroid function tests confirmed thyrotoxicosis for all. Only two of these patients had clinical symptoms and signs of thyrotoxicosis, the others being asymptomatic.


CONCLUSIONS
Early morning paralysis can be the first manifestation of hyperthyroidism in Asian men, without the other more typical symptoms of weight loss, increased appetite, excitability, sweaty palms or goitre. Treatment to a euthyroid state will ameliorate the syndrome.
Goh
S Hiong
SH
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010245:Paralyses, Familial Periodic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology