Due to deficiency of which mineral/vitamin, does the glands in the neck appear swollen?

The correct answer is Iodine.

Key Points

• The swelling of glands in the neck is most commonly associated with a deficiency of Iodine
• When there's a deficiency of iodine in the diet, the thyroid gland in the neck swells up, a condition known as goiter.
• Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate various body functions such as metabolism and growth.
• When the body doesn't get enough iodine, the thyroid gland works harder to try to produce these hormones, leading to swelling.

Additional Information

• Vitamin C:
  • This vitamin is essential for many functions in the body, including the maintenance of skin, blood vessels, bones and cartilage, and the protection of cells.
  • It's also crucial for wound healing.
  • Scurvy is the classic disease related to Vitamin C deficiency, characterized by bleeding gums and skin spots.
  • However, it doesn't cause a swollen neck gland.
• Vitamin D:
  • This vitamin helps the body absorb calcium, which is vital for bone health.
  • Deficiency of Vitamin D can cause rickets in children (characterized by soft, weak bones) and osteomalacia in adults (leading to bone pain and muscle weakness), but it doesn't lead to a swollen neck gland.
• Calcium:
  • ​This mineral is essential for building and maintaining strong bones.
  • A deficiency in calcium can lead to conditions like osteoporosis and hypocalcemia, which can cause muscle cramps, convulsions, and abnormal heart rhythms.
  • However, a deficiency in calcium doesn't cause swelling of the neck glands.