HYPOKALEMIC THYROTOXIC PERIODIC PARALYSIS IN A CAUCASIAN MALE WITH GRAVES-DISEASE

The case of a 34-yr-old Caucasian male with Graves' disease presenting with a flaccid quadriplegia and severe hypokalemia is reported, The w eakness was prevalent at the lower extremities and began during noctur nal sleep, after a strenuous physical exertion performed during the da y, Correction of hypokalemia promptly reversed the quadriplegia. The o ccurrence of hypokalemic thyrotoxic periodic paralysis several months after the beginning of thyrotoxic symptoms, and the normal insulin ser um levels on admission differentiate this patient from most of the pre viously reported cases.