THYROTOXIC PERIOD PARALYSIS - REPORT OF 3 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a neuromuscular disorder that, in a global perspective, only affects a small percentage of patients w ith thyrotoxicosis of any aetiology, but is a fairly common phenomenon in Asian populations where it predominantly occurs in males. Three ty pical cases are presented here. All three patients were Asian males, o ne being the first Laotian patient reported to have this disorder. In one case prodromal symptoms of TPP occurred during a relapse of the th yrotoxicosis. The epidemiology, clinical manifestations, aetiology and treatment of this relatively rare condition are discussed. As orienta l races are now frequently encountered in the Western world, it is imp erative that TPP is included in the differential diagnosis of muscle w eakness in order to avoid the life-threatening complications of hypoka laemia and thyrotoxicosis.