Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis as a Presentation of Thyrotoxicosis: A Case Report and review of the literature

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare condition related to thyrotoxicosis seen predominantly in men of Asian origin. Here I present a case of a 34-year-old Chinese man who presented with sudden onset weakness of his upper and lower extremities that resolved spontaneously. His investigations revealed elevated free thyroxin (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and hypokalemia, and he was diagnosed with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. It is important to consider the diagnosis of TTP in patients presenting with acute onset of weakness. This report reviews the literature looking at pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment for this rare complication of hyperthyroidism.