Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

03 March 2008

A rare case of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in a black male

Chinedu Ivonye, Uma Jamched, Nicole Nunga Fobi

Am J Case Rep 2008; 9:129-131 :: ID: 843049

Abstract

Background: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a disorder characterized by episodes of muscle weakness to paralysis. Hypokalemia precipitated by high levels of circulating thyroid hormone is almost always associated with it. Although commonly seen in Asian men it is also reported in Polynesians, Caucasians and very rarely in African Americans. Here we present an African American patient with Graves’ disease and TPP.
Case Report: A 29 yr old black male with no significant past medical history presented to the emergency room with inability to move lower extremities. He gave history of similar episodes of transient paralysis in the recent past. After initial stabilization in the emergency room he followed in the outpatient clinic for further workup. His physical exam was unremarkable except for non tender firm enlarged thyroid gland. Thyroid function tests showed a low TSH, high T3 and, an elevated Microsomal antibody titer of 6400. A thyroid uptake scan revealed enlarged thyroid gland with uniform uptake consistent with Graves’ disease. After thyroid ablation he remained symptom free.
Conclusions: TPP is a condition characterized by transient paralysis seen in hyperthyroid patients. Though mostly seen in males of Asian descent this potentially curable condition should be considered in the differential of any patient with transient periodic paralysis.

Keywords: Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis - diagnosis, Hyperthyroidism - diagnosis, Graves’ disease

Add Comment 0 Comments

In Press

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  Germany

Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report an...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942870  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Erdheim-Chester Disease Occult on Radiographs and CT but Visible on MRI and PET

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941169  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Superficial Temporal Artery Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942839  

13 Feb 2024 : Case report  Bahrain

Warfarin Woes: A Rare Case of Hemoperitoneum with Intramural Small Bowel Hematoma

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943519  

Most Viewed Current Articles

10 Jan 2022 : Case report  Germany

A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263

19 Jul 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128

05 Mar 2022 : Case report  Brazil

Acute Limb Ischemia After Self-Injection of Crushed Morphine Tablets into the Radial Artery: Role of Infrar...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935336

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935336

02 Apr 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Infective Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas luteola in a Pediatric Patient. A Case Report and Review of Li...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935743

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935743

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923