Air hog could be Hyperthyroid (rarely)

[Cacia]

Maybe some of the physicians could better speak to this. Recently I noticed someone I dive with a frequently was consuming LOTS of air. All of the usual obvious reasons/ issues (anxiety, sculling, etc) seemed to be not present. It was pretty profound and this guy was a marathon runner, cyclists, athletic. Finally I took his resting HR, expecting it to be in the low 60's (28 yrs old). His resting rate was 100! He is having a full work-up with thyroid panel as the physician also thinks this is unusual and that hyperthyroidism should be ruled out.
Even though this is fairly rare, if someone is consuming a lot of air, there could be an underlying physiological reason.

 

[TSandM]

Hyperthyroidism does raise your basal metabolic rate, which would increase oxygen consumption. However, as you observe, other symptoms ought to be present -- weight loss, high heart rate, heat intolerance and sometimes protruding eyes (Grave's disease) or a palpable thyroid mass.