[Periodic hypokalemic paralysis in thyrotoxicosis]

The case is reported of a 26-year-old Chinese cook hospitalized for hypokalemic paralysis, the cause of which was found to be thyrotoxicosis. In Asian males hypokalemic periodic paralysis occurs in 2% to 10% of thyrotoxic patients with a male:female ratio of close to 70:1. In the white population the frequency is smaller by a factor of 10. This association is however considered important, since the clinical symptoms of thyrotoxicosis may be scanty. By successful treatment of thyrotoxicosis hypokalemic paralysis disappears, but may return after cessation of treatment. Pathogenetically, hyperreactivity of the sodium/potassium pump of the cell membrane seems to play an important role.