Regulation of plasma potassium in hyperkalemic periodic paralysis

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Abstract
Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis is frequently considered a disorder in which episodes of weakness and an attendant rise in plasma K interrupt a baseline of normal strength and K. Venous K was studied throughout a 36 h period in 2 patients with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and in 9 normals under rigidly controlled conditions. At no time did the patients with periodic paralysis have an attack of weakness, but their mean K concentrations were above the normal range for 33-36 h. In hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, the postprandial change in K relative to insulin release exceeded normal. There appears to be a continuous alteration in K regulation in these patients with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.