Hypokalemic paralysis is not just a hypokalemic paralysis.

OBJECTIVE: Although the commonest form of hypokalemic paralysis is the hereditary variety, some patients during course of thyrotoxicosis or with chronic potassium depletion, may exhibit episodic weakness. Approach to the patient with hypokalemic paralysis should be a careful search for the etiology and potassium replacement therapy.

METHODS: In this report, two hypokalemic paralysis cases are described.

RESULTS: Case 1 is a 29-year-old Caucasian male who developed thyrotoxic periodic paralysis. Case 2 is a 50-year-old female who experienced hypokalemic paralysis due to primary aldosteronism.

CONCLUSION: Hypokalemic paralysis usually carries an underlying secret problem. Emergency department workers should give importance to etiological differentiation.