Levothyroxine and Prednisone Causing Generalized Weakness in a Middle-Aged Man

Thyrotoxic induced hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare disorder that had been described in middle-aged men, predominantly Asians and Hispanics. This case presented with generalized weakness and hypokalemia after changing prescription for levothyroxine and starting prednisone to treat upper resp...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Andrew Word, Kevin Davidson, Essam Elsayed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Endocrinology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/616930
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Summary:Thyrotoxic induced hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare disorder that had been described in middle-aged men, predominantly Asians and Hispanics. This case presented with generalized weakness and hypokalemia after changing prescription for levothyroxine and starting prednisone to treat upper respiratory infection in a previously asymptomatic middle-aged Hispanic male. In this paper, we will go over the clinical presentation, mechanisms, and treatment of thyrotoxic induced hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Our objectives are to identify the classic constellation of findings in thyrotoxic periodic paralysis and to recognize the importance of considering thyrotoxic periodic paralysis among patients with hypokalemia.
ISSN:2090-6501
2090-651X