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Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis
Alternative Names: Periodic paralysis - thyrotoxic Symptoms: weakness/paralysis most common in shoulders and hips more common in legs than arms intermittent occurrences triggered by rest after exercise triggered by heavy, high-carbohydrate, high-salt meals lasting for up to several days spontaneous recovery of normal strength between attacks vision changes (rare) swallowing difficulty (rare) speech difficulty (rare) difficulty breathing (rare) alert during attacks Symptoms of hyperthyroidism: increased appetite weight loss skin changes: moist, warm, thin, pale (occasionally) tremors fast heart rate sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations) headache excessive sweating (diaphoresis) insomnia heat intolerance fatigue Signs and tests: Text Continues Below The health care provider may suspect thyrotoxic periodic paralysis based on a family history of the disorder, the episodic nature of symptoms, low potassium levels during attacks, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, and elimination of other disorders associated with low potassium as the cause of symptoms. Between attacks, examination is normal, or there may be signs of hyperthyroidism, such as an enlarged thyroid. During an attack, reflexes may be decreased or absent. Weakness is constant rather than spastic (spasmodic) and is greater in muscle groups near the body (such as shoulders and hips) than muscle groups farther away from the body (such as arms, hands, legs, or feet). The health care provider may attempt to trigger an attack by administering insulin and glucose (which reduces potassium levels) or thyroid hormone. Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>