Health Encyclopedia

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

Definition

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a condition with episodes of severe muscle weakness. It occurs in people who have high levels of thyroid hormone in their blood. Examples of this include hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis.

Alternative Names

Periodic paralysis - thyrotoxic; Hyperthyroidism - periodic paralysis

Causes

This rare condition occurs only in people with high thyroid hormone levels (thyrotoxicosis). Men of Asian or Hispanic descent are affected more often. Most people who develop high thyroid hormone levels are not at risk of periodic paralysis.

Hypokalemic, or familial, periodic paralysis is a similar disorder. It is an inherited condition and not related to high thyroid levels, but has the same symptoms.

Risk factors include a family history of periodic paralysis and hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms

Symptoms involve attacks of muscle weakness or paralysis. Between attacks, normal muscle function returns. Attacks often begin after symptoms of hyperthyroidism have developed. Hyperthyroid symptoms may be subtle.

The attacks may occur daily to yearly. Episodes of muscle weakness may last for a few hours or several days.

The weakness or paralysis:

Comes and goes
Lasts from a few hours up to several days (rare)
Occurs more often in the legs than the arms
Is most common in the shoulders and hips
Is triggered by heavy, high-carbohydrate, high-salt meals
Is triggered during rest after exercise

Other rare symptoms may include any of the following:

Trouble breathing
Speech problems
Trouble swallowing
Vision changes

During attacks, you will be alert and can answer questions. Normal strength returns between attacks. With repeat attacks, you may develop muscle weakness.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

Excessive sweating
Fast heart rate
Fatigue
Headache
Heat intolerance
Increased appetite
Insomnia
Having bowel movements more often
Feeling strong heartbeat (palpitations)
Tremors of the hand
Warm, moist skin
Weight loss

Exams and Tests

The health care provider may suspect TPP based on:

Abnormal thyroid hormone levels
A family history of the disorder
Low potassium level during attacks
Symptoms that come and go

Diagnosis involves ruling out disorders caused by low potassium.

Your provider may try to trigger an attack by giving you insulin and sugar. The sugar is glucose, which reduces potassium level. Or you may be given thyroid hormone.

The following signs may be seen during the attack:

Decreased or no reflexes
Heart arrhythmias
Low potassium in the bloodstream (potassium levels are normal between attacks)

Between attacks, the examination is normal. Or, there may be signs of hyperthyroidism. These include an enlarged thyroid changes in the eyes, tremor, or hair and nail changes.

The following tests are used to diagnose hyperthyroidism:

High thyroid hormone levels (T3 or T4)
Low serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels
Thyroid uptake and scan

Other test results:

Abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) during attacks
Abnormal electromyogram (EMG) during attacks
Low serum potassium during attacks, but normal between attacks

A muscle biopsy may sometimes be taken.

Treatment

Potassium should also be given during the attack, most often by mouth. If weakness is severe, you may need to get potassium through a vein (IV). Note: You should only get IV if your kidney function is normal and you are monitored in the hospital.

Weakness that involves the muscles used for breathing or swallowing is an emergency. People must be taken to a hospital. Serious irregularity of heartbeat also occur during attacks.

Your provider may recommend a diet low in carbohydrates and salt to prevent attacks. You may be given beta-blocker medicines to reduce the number and severity of attacks while your hyperthyroidism is brought under control.

Acetazolamide is effective at preventing attacks in people with familial periodic paralysis. It is usually not effective for thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.

Outlook (Prognosis)

If an attack isn't treated and the breathing muscles are affected, death can occur.

Chronic attacks over time can lead to muscle weakness. This weakness can continue even between attacks if the thyrotoxicosis is not treated.

TPP responds well to treatment. Treating hyperthyroidism will prevent attacks. It may even reverse muscle weakness.

Possible Complications

Untreated TPP can lead to:

Difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing during attacks (rare)
Heart arrhythmias during attacks
Muscle weakness that gets worse over time

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the emergency room if you have periods of muscle weakness. This is especially important if you have a family history of periodic paralysis or thyroid disorders.

Emergency symptoms include:

Difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing
Falls due to muscle weakness

Prevention

Genetic counseling may be advised. Treating the thyroid disorder prevents attacks of weakness.

References

Hollenberg A, Wiersinga WM. Hyperthyroid disorders. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 12.

Kang MK, Kerchner GA, Ptacek LJ. Channelopathies: Episodic and electrical disorders of the nervous system. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 98.

Selcen D. Muscle diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 393.

Review Date:2/1/2022
Reviewed By:Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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