[Hypokalaemia and paralysis: think about the thyroid].
Periodic hypokalemic paralysis can be of genetic origin or secondary to other causes of hypokalaemia. The thyreotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis (THPP) usually occurs among asian subjects. It is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency which may lead to life-threatening complications due to hypokalaemia and muscle weakness. The potassium supplementation is followed by a complete recovery after a few hours. We underlined the interest of thyroid assays in patients having an acute muscular paralysis associated with hypokalaemia.
Balde
M C
MC
Service de médecine interne, hôpital Ambroise-Paré, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, université Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 92104 Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
Adrar
E H
EH
Bechara
K
K
Prinseau
J
J
Baglin
A
A
Hanslik
T
T
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D020514:Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis