Citation

Bergeron L, Sternbach GL. Ann. Emerg. Med. 1988; 17(8): 843-845.

Affiliation

Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, California.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1988, American College of Emergency Physicians, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3394990

Abstract

We present the case of a 21-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with an episode of profound weakness due to thyrotoxic periodic paralysis, a syndrome of muscular weakness occurring in patients with hyperthyroidism. Prior to the diagnosis, the patient was treated with a parenteral tranquilizer. When hypokalemia was discovered, potassium was administered, resulting in the development of hyperkalemia. Episodes of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis are usually self limited, and recovery of motor strength is complete. However, potassium is frequently administered to hasten recovery and prevent cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory arrest. Serum potassium must, therefore, be monitored carefully in these patients during treatment.

Language: en