What are common pulmonary symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

• A. Shortness of breath and rapid, shallow breathing
• B. Cough with fever
• C. Wheezing with asthma
• D. Chest tightness on exertion

Answer: (A)

Elevated thyroid hormone speeds up overall metabolism and boosts sympathetic nervous system activity. That raises oxygen demand and makes the body drive the lungs to ventilate more, so people often notice shortness of breath with activity and a tendency to breathe rapidly and shallowly. This dyspnea and tachypnea reflect the systemic effects of excess thyroid hormone on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and they can be more noticeable as the condition progresses or if heart function is affected.

Cough with fever points to infection, wheezing with asthma to bronchospasm, and chest tightness on exertion is more typical of ischemia or bronchospasm—features not characteristically caused by hyperthyroidism.