Final answer:
The correct option (d). Iodine deficiency is the anticipated nutritional deficiency linked to an enlarged thyroid gland or goiter. Iodine is crucial for thyroid hormone synthesis, and its insufficiency can lead to hypothyroidism, with symptoms like weight gain and reduced mental activity. Iodine supplementation, often through iodized salt, can help prevent goiter formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the case of a client with an enlarged thyroid gland, which is known as a goiter, the anticipated nutritional deficiency is iodine. Iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). When dietary iodine is insufficient, the thyroid cannot produce these hormones effectively, leading to increased production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid. This overstimulation causes the thyroid gland to enlarge, resulting in a goiter. The most common symptoms of iodine deficiency and the resulting hypothyroidism include weight gain, cold sensitivity, and reduced mental activity.
To address this deficiency, iodine is added to salt, which has significantly reduced the occurrence of goiters in countries where iodized salt is widely used. This intervention illustrates the importance of iodine in preventing thyroid-related disorders. However, it is noteworthy that iodine supplements are not usually helpful when hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, as the problem in such cases is not due to a lack of iodine.