Periodic Paralysis Syndromes: A T3 Thyrotoxicosis Etiology Presentation and Review of Literature

Description Periodic paralysis is a group of muscle diseases that are related to transmembrane ion channels. Dysfunction of these channels causes an increase in sodium-potassium (Na-K) adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity that pushes potassium into the cells that result in serum hypokalemia that manifests as muscle weakness. Beta-adrenergic stimulation and insulin sensitivity might also play a role. Periodic paralysis is divided into hereditary and acquired forms. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is an acquired form of periodic paralysis that manifests as muscle weakness, hypokalemia, and hyperthyroidism. The onset of the symptoms is mainly over the age of 20 and can be triggered by intense physical activity, stress, and excessive carbohydrate intake. This review presents the different types of this disease (hypokalemic, hyperkalemic, thyrotoxic, and Andersen-Tawil syndrome) while presenting a unique case of T3 thyrotoxicosis causing periodic paralysis.