Thyrotoxic period paralysis: report of three cases and review of the literature.

Abstract

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a neuromuscular disorder that, in a global perspective, only affects a small percentage of patients with thyrotoxicosis of any aetiology, but is a fairly common phenomenon in Asian populations where it predominantly occurs in males. Three typical cases are presented here. All three patients were Asian males, one being the first Laotian patient reported to have this disorder. In one case prodromal symptoms of TPP occurred during a relapse of the thyrotoxicosis. The epidemiology, clinical manifestations, aetiology and treatment of this relatively rare condition are discussed. As oriental races are now frequently encountered in the Western world, it is imperative that TPP is included in the differential diagnosis of muscle weakness in order to avoid the life-threatening complications of hypokalaemia and thyrotoxicosis.