What dietary deficiency can lead to goiter formation?

Iodine deficiency is the primary dietary deficiency that can lead to the formation of goiter. Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland, which occurs when the thyroid is unable to produce sufficient thyroid hormones due to inadequate iodine levels in the diet. Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormones, namely thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). When iodine intake is low, the body cannot produce adequate amounts of these hormones, leading to compensatory stimulation of the thyroid gland by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

This overstimulation causes the thyroid cells to proliferate, resulting in gland enlargement or goiter. In areas where iodine is scarce in the diet, such as certain regions far from the ocean or without iodized salt, goiter prevalence can be notably higher.

Other dietary deficiencies such as vitamin C, iron, and calcium do not directly relate to the synthesis of thyroid hormones and therefore would not lead to goiter formation. While deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to various health issues, they do not specifically impact thyroid hormone production or thyroid gland size in the same way that iodine deficiency does.