Nicknamed the “butterfly gland” due to its shape, the thyroid’s impact on the body is far reaching. Usually associated with growth and metabolism, recent studies published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism – Case Reports show how thyroid dysfunction can impact the heart.
The common phrase “heart in my throat” usually refers to a feeling of anxiety, excitement, expectation, or anticipation. It can even mean that the person undergoing this sensation is experiencing a sudden amount of stress as the carotid vein in the neck is suddenly throbbing.
Recent cases in JCEM Case Reports (JCEM CR) actually take this age-old phrase to, well, heart, as they take a closer look at the thyroid – or, in two patients, the parathyroid – in studies that examine how a dysfunction in the “butterfly gland” can have a surprising and sometimes frightening impact on the heart. Here, we summarize those cases, as endocrinologists should be aware of this connection.
Endocrine News published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 04 Feb 2026.
The item focuses on The Butterfly Effect: JCEM CR Studies Connect the Heart and the Thyroid.
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