Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis In A Nigerian: A Case Report

Abstract

Abstarct :Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a disorder in which there are episodes of muscle weakness in people with high levels of thyroid hormones. It is a channelopathy characterized by an abnormality in the Na + /K+ ATPase pump due to the effect of excess thyroid hormones which cause an intracellular shift of potassium leading to hypokalaemia in the presence of normal total body potassium 1 . The commonest cause of hyperthyroidism in these patients is Grave's disease 2,3,4 but other causes have also been described 5,6. It is commoner in males than females unlike in other thyroid disorders 7,8,9. The modes of presentation include limb paralysis, dyspnoea, dysphagia, ophthalmoplegia, and cardiac rhythm disturbances. The attacks are potentially life threatening 10,11,12 but patients are normal between attacks. The condition is rare and is seen most commonly in Asian 13,14,15 and Latin American men 16

Thyrotoxic Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis: A Case Series from Trinidad, West Indies

“…It is known to occur predominantly among young Asian males, although it has also been reported in American Indians, Mexican Mestizos, Europeans as well as Turkish citizens and amongst others previously mentioned (18)(19)(20). Recent studies from the Indian subcontinent have confirmed the rarity in Indians and there are similarly, few reports from continental Africa (21,22). Male-to-female ratios vary from 17:1 to 20:1 in Japan, 33:1 to 48:1 in the United States of America and 76:1 in Southern China (12,(23)(24)(25).…”