Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis: a life-threatening disorder in Asian men

Abstract

Thyrotoxicosis can present as a sporadic form of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis. The condition is associated with massive intracellular shift of potassium, mainly in skeletal muscles. As the total body stores of potassium remain normal, overzealous potassium supplementation targeting serum potassium level results in a poor outcome. We present a fatal case of thyrotoxic hypokalaemic periodic paralysis.