Hypokalemic paralysis is not just a hypokalemic paralysis.
OBJECTIVE
Although the commonest form of hypokalemic paralysis is the hereditary variety, some patients during course of thyrotoxicosis or with chronic potassium depletion, may exhibit episodic weakness. Approach to the patient with hypokalemic paralysis should be a careful search for the etiology and potassium replacement therapy.


METHODS
In this report, two hypokalemic paralysis cases are described.


RESULTS
Case 1 is a 29-year-old Caucasian male who developed thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. Case 2 is a 50-year-old female who experienced hypokalemic paralysis due to primary aldosteronism.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypokalemic paralysis usually carries an underlying secret problem. Emergency department workers should give importance to etiological differentiation.
Cesur
Mustafa
M
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. drcesur@ttmail.com
Ilgin
Sen Dagci
SD
Baskal
Nilgun
N
Gullu
Sevim
S
D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D044465:White People