| Autor: |
Florescu AG; Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, 105402 Bucharest, Romania., Galeș EI; Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, 105402 Bucharest, Romania., Frunză SA; Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, 105402 Bucharest, Romania., Diaconu CC; Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, 105402 Bucharest, Romania.; Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.; Academy of Romanian Scientists, 050045 Bucharest, Romania. |
| Abstrakt: |
Hypokalemia is a common laboratory finding in hospitalized patients, typically resulting from insufficient potassium intake, renal or gastrointestinal losses, or intracellular shifts. While the underlying cause is often easily identifiable, certain cases present diagnostic challenges, and if left unrecognized, the consequences can be life-threatening. We report a rare and atypical case of severe symptomatic hypokalemia as the initial presentation of newly diagnosed Graves' disease. The condition was caused by thyrotoxic periodic paralysis, a rare but serious complication of thyrotoxicosis, predominantly seen in East Asian populations. This disorder is characterized by episodes of acute, reversible muscle weakness associated with transient hypokalemia, which increases the risk of falls and traumatic injuries. The prompt identification of the etiology in such cases is critical for preventing recurrence and avoiding potentially fatal complications. |
