Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis – Clinical Diagnosis and Management

1. Introduction

1.1. DEFINITION

Periodic paralysis comprises a group of neuromuscular diseases in which the patients present with paroxysmal muscle weakness of the limbs. [1] The most common causes are thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis (TPP) and familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis (FPP). [1]

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a medical emergency characterized by an acute and reversible attack of muscle weakness associated with the hypokalemia. [1, 2] TPP is the most common form of acquired flaccid paralysis in adults with hyperthyroidism and can occur in patients of any ethnicity, [3,4] although it is more frequent in Asian populations. [5] TPP is the newest form of endocrine channelopathy included in the large group of periodic paralysis and should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute muscle weakness in patients seeking emergency care.

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