This is a post originally written by me, in 2011. With Kim Jong Un experimenting with Hydrogen bombs, everyone should consider being in possession of Potassium Iodide, in order to help to protect our thyroid glands. Please read below.
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Potassium Iodide is a salt which when
taken in the proper amounts, can block the uptake of radioactive
iodine. It is frequently marketed in tablets, under the name of
“Iosat”. Administering Iosat can be very beneficial because the thyroid
can be quite vulnerable to radioactive iodine in a radiologic
emergency, and because this strategy can benefit us in the prevention
of later thyroid cancer. It is important to realize that even when
properly used and taken as directed by public health officials, that
the only organ protected by this practice is the thyroid, therefore
evacuation from a contaminated area is always best. Since radioactive
iodine has a half life of eight days, rational evacuation of a week or
two may be all that is necessary. (Supposing that in this particular
emergency, only radioactive iodine is released.) Following a radiologic
emergency, a combination of administering potassium iodide tablets to
human beings in the target area, coupled with evacuation, even for a
week or two, is usually the best course.
Failure to take potassium
iodide following a radiologic emergency may result in immediate or
long term effects on the thyroid gland. Thyroid cancer, goiters,
hypothyroidism, and thyroid growths may occur following untreated
exposure to higher levels of radioactive iodine. Since thyroid failure
in a child can impact intellect, and thyroid failure in a woman can
impact successful reproduction, these are important considerations.
Many
of us have chosen to keep an adequate supply of potassium iodide
tablets for potential radiologic emergency in advance of such an
occurence. This way, we sidestep distribution difficulties in a time in
which our governmental and public health authorities will be most
occupied. The tablets being sold now, most often have an expiration date
of 2017. Those with small children, or with elderly family members may
wish to consider buying the liquid preparation of this drug. The
liquid version of this drug is said to expire in five years and is
marketed as “Thyro-Shield”. In the past, I have purchased thyroid
protective medication in advance of a radiologic emergency from the
following sources:
http://www.nukepills.com/ potassium iodide
http://www.tacda.org/
potassium iodate
Please
know that following the Japanese earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent
nuclear reactor disasters in Japan, many sources of potassium iodide
are temporarily unavailable, as they help to meet the need in Japan,
not only for the Japanese people, but for first responders from other
nations as they rush to help. Please rest assured that all sources here
in America, will likely restock very quickly thereafter.
Both the
dose required is noted on each package, as is the expiration date of
each package. These medications should be kept in a cool, dry place.
They may be effective beyond their expiration date, but I have replaced
them as we approach expiration, in the years that we have kept these
in our emergency supplies. I keep the expired tablets, in a plastic
bag, marked EXPIRED, and I save them. I save them in the event that in
an emergency they could be useful to someone, or in the event that an
official veterinary body makes an official recommendation for animals,
as at the present time, they have not. Iosat is approved by the FDA for
this use and is stockpiled by many arms of the US government.
Potassium
Iodate is also marketed for the purpose of blocking radioactive iodine
uptake by the thyroid. (One of the brand names is Rad-Block)
Presently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) questions whether
potassium iodate is as effective at blocking radioactive iodine uptake
of the thyroid, as Potassium Iodide is. Therefore, Potassium Iodate is
not approved by the FDA, but is in fact, available for sale at a
variety of internet sources. The FDA also has voiced concerns regarding
a higher potential for side effects from ingesting the Potassium
Iodate preparation. Other nations may still stock and sell this in
their pharmacies.
I think it is unquestionably wise for every
family to invest the sum it would take to provide Potassium Iodide to
their family members for a period of a few days, while planning to
evacuate following a radiologic emergency. Although a “Dirty Bomb” is
generally a local phenomenon, the potential for a nuclear bomb or even
fallout from a local nuclear reactor, you may not even know existed in
your area, is always possible. Although this does take some planning,
reading and forethought, it is one of the easiest disaster preparations
a family can make.
Although the news presently seems to indicate
that the Japanese nuclear disaster will not adversely impact the
contiguous United States, it is not over just yet. The Japanese still
have six reactors in close proximity to one another, in tandem with
spent nuclear fuel rods which are not yet being optimally cooled. This
should be a lesson in the need for preparation for potential radiologic
disaster for us all.
References and Sources for Additional Information:
http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/emerg-preparedness/about-emerg-preparedness/potassium-iodide/ki-faq.html
http://www.nukepills.com/
http://www.nukepills.com/potassium-iodate-vs-potassium-iodide.html
