Final answer:
Yes, in a normal pregnancy, the thyroid gland can increase in size due to hormonal changes, particularly in response to increased levels of thyrotropin, which boosts thyroid hormone production to meet heightened metabolic demands.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a normal pregnancy, it is indeed possible for the thyroid gland to increase in size due to the hormonal changes that occur. The anterior pituitary gland enlarges and stimulates the production of various hormones, including thyrotropin, which in turn enhances the thyroid hormone production. The thyroid gland responds to higher levels of thyrotropin by increasing its own activity and sometimes in size, a condition that can mimic a mild form of goiter.
This increase in thyroid activity is necessary to meet the higher metabolic demands of pregnancy, contributing to normal physiological changes such as appetite increase and hot flashes. The thyroid hormones play a critical role in regulating the metabolic rate and are essential for both the mother's and the developing fetus's health. Consequently, the enlargement of the thyroid gland during pregnancy is a normal adaptive response to the increased hormonal needs of the pregnant body.