Abstract
This case had idiopathic hypothyroidism associated with hypokalemic myopathy, non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure due to glycyrrhizine and trichlormethiazide.
A 65-year-old female, was admitted to our hospital through the emergency department for disturbance of consciousness and respiratory distress. Laboratory data on admission were as follows: GOT 617KU, GPT 80KU, LDH 2, 833WU, CPK 7, 440IU/l, serum myoglobin 19, 000ng/ml, BUN 54.6mg/dl, Cr 4.2mg/dl, serum K 1.5mEq/l. It was decided to stop the administration of glycyrrhizine and trichlormethiazide. For severe hypokalemia, the patient was given an intravenous drip infusion of KCI solution (150-200mEq/day) for a period of 3 days while monitoring the EKG. Correction of the serum K improved the paralysis of her extremities, respiratory failure and ileus. However, in spite of conservative therapy, acute renal failure progressed, and the patient was put on hemodialysis treatment. She subsequently recovered and is presently in good health without recurrence.
