Periodic paralysis

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Abstract
In the nonparalytic state, fasting blood levels of lactate and pyruvate were found to be elevated in 13 patients with the hypokalemic form of periodic paralysis, whereas those of thiamine were substantially lower than normal. This thiamine deficiency was correlated with an elevated carbohydrate metabolic index. Prolonged prophylactic cocarboxylase administration prevented, or reduced in frequency and severity, spontaneous paralytic attacks. More intensive parenteral use of thiamine completely counteracted the provocative effect of glucose and insulin as judged clinically by levels of blood constituents.