Affiliations 

  • 1 Alexandra Drakaki, MD. Department of Medicine Caritas St Elizabeth Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass, United States
  • 2 Muzzamal Habib, MD. Department of Medicine, Caritas St Elizabeth Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass, United States
  • 3 Ann T. Sweeney, MD. Department of Medicine, Caritas St Elizabeth Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass, United States
Am J Med, 2009 Dec;122(12):e5-6.
PMID: 19958876 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.06.016

Abstract

Hypokalemic thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a potentially life-threatening complication of hyperthyroidism, defined by 3 characteristic features: thyrotoxicosis, hypokalemia, and acute painless muscle weakness. In this case, a 25-year-old Malaysian man presented with acute, painless lower extremity weakness immediately after a meal. His associated symptoms included palpitations, tremor, and anxiety. He also reported a 30-pound unintentional weight loss over the previous 18 months, dyspnea on exertion, and insomnia.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.