Hypokalaemic Periodic Paralysis Associated with Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Periodic paralysis is also seen as one of the uncommon cause of quadriplegia in the physical and rehabilitation medicine practice. There have been anecdotal reports of periodic paralysis associated with hypothyroidism. However, there is no clear cut evidence of hypothyroidism causing hypokalaemia leading to periodic paralysis or vice versa. This case report highlights the importance of keeping periodic paralysis as an important cause of the recurrent paralytic attack, importance of serum potassium and thyroid function tests and recovery pattern without active physical therapy intervention which may actually aggravate the disease process. Its occurrence in a young male patient is also a rare phenomenon.