Radiation and Your Thyroid: 7 necessary Tips You Should Know

The devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March -- and damaged its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant -- has sparked worldwide concern about the health effects of radiation exposure. Some in the United States have even begun hoarding potassium iodide (Ki) supplements due to their ability to protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine.

As it stands, the U.S. Environmental security agency (Epa) has been monitoring radiation levels across the country, noting levels that are slightly higher than normal but "still far below levels of group health concern." So for now it appears that radiation threats to those living in the United States are minimal.

Potassium IOdide

That said, radiation is a exact threat to your thyroid health, and it's a good idea to be aware of the risks, especially if you live near a nuclear power plant. Your thyroid is particularly vulnerable to radiation poisoning as it actively uptakes iodine from your blood to make thyroid hormones. If you're exposed to radioactive iodine, including iodine-131, a radioactive isotope released from the Japanese nuclear plant, your thyroid will not know the dissimilarity and will take in the radioactive substance.

Radiation and Your Thyroid: 7 necessary Tips You Should Know

If your thyroid absorbs too much radioactive iodine, it can lead to thyroid cancer years later.

Nuclear accidents are, unfortunately, an safe bet reality in the 21st century, so it's important to stay informed about what to do in the event of a nuclear emergency.

Essential Radiation Info to protect Your Thyroid health and More

1. Potassium Iodide Can Help protect Your Thyroid

Potassium iodide pills can help protect your thyroid from radioactive material. By taking potassium iodide (a garage form of iodine), you can essentially flood your system with so much iodine that your body will have no need to uptake the radioactive form, thereby protecting your thyroid from the damaging effects.

The U.S. State agency has already given Ki pills to U.S. Personnel residing in the Japanese danger zones, but so far there appears to be no need for U.S. Citizens in the United States to take the pills.

2. Potassium Iodide Should Not be Taken Unnecessarily

Taking potassium iodide unnecessarily is not a good idea, as it can lead to serious side effects including even hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

For now, if you live in the United States taking Ki as a precautionary quantum is Not recommended, according to a joint statement released by The American relationship of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Thyroid Association, The Endocrine community and the community of Nuclear Medicine.

3. Pregnant Women and Children are Most at Risk

Developing fetuses, infants and children are most at risk of thyroid damage from exposure to radioactive iodine. For this reason, group health agencies recommend Ki be given to all infants (including breast-fed infants), children, young adults, pregnant women and breastfeeding women in the proper doses following exposure to radioactive iodine.

Careful attentiveness must be given to proper dosages for newborns, as giving too much Ki, or giving it for too long a period, can lead to hypothyroidism in the baby.

Generally speaking, citizen over 40 are at the lowest risk of thyroid damage from radioactive iodine and only need to take Ki if exposure to a very high level of radiation is expected.

4. Potassium Iodide Only Protects Your Thyroid, and is Only useful Against One Type of Radiation

There is some misconception that Ki is an anti-radiation pill that can stave off all of radiation's ill effects. In reality, Ki only protects against radioactive iodine, which is just one type of radiation released during nuclear accidents. Further, it only protects your thyroid from damage, not the rest of your body.

That said, most nuclear emergencies do involve the publish of radioactive iodine, and your thyroid is most at risk from this type of radiation, so taking Ki is typically a useful approach.

5. You Can be Exposed to Radiation from Air, Food, Water and More

Inhaling radiation from the air is only one route of exposure. Radioactive iodine can also fall to the ground -- known as "fallout" -- contaminating water supplies and crops. Radiation can also enter the food chain, for instance falling on grass eaten by cows, important to contaminated milk.

The Epa has currently detected radioactive iodine-131 in milk in Spokane, Washington but reports that it is at levels 5,000 times lower than the Fda's "Derived Intervention Level" -- and is therefore not a concern at this time. Some states have also detected iodine-131 in rain water, lakes, rivers and reservoirs, but again this was at very low levels that are unlikely to harm human health.[1]

6. You Can prepare Yourself and Your house for Nuclear Emergencies

Again, it is Not recommended that citizen in the United States take Ki at this time due to radiation from Japan. However, the American Thyroid relationship (Ata) does recommend having potassium iodide on hand if you live near a U.S. Nuclear facility.

Specifically, Ata advises citizen living within 50 mile of a nuclear plant to keep a stockpile of Ki in their home. For those living within 200 miles, Ata recommends stockpiles be kept in hospitals, schools, police stations and other group buildings. And for those living more than 200 miles from a plant, Ata recommends Ki be ready from national stockpiles if necessary.

Potassium iodide is a non-prescription supplement and is therefore ready over the counter, development it very easy to get. However, it only prevents your thyroid from moving radioactive iodine for about 24 hours. This means it should only be taken once a day while a radiation risk is present -- not as a preventive in the days prior to exposure.

7. Potassium Iodide is Only One Level of Protection

In the event of a nuclear emergency, local authorities will likely recommend the group if supplementation with Ki is recommended. However, this is only one step toward protection. Commonly speaking, if a nuclear urgency occurs you should leave the area immediately or, if that is not possible, stay in an unventilated safe protection with the doors and windows sealed. You should also avoid moving any contaminated food, milk or water.

Again, health risks to Americans from radioactive iodine from Japan appear minimal to non-existent at this time, so it is Not necessary, nor safe, to take potassium iodide. However, if you live near a nuclear plant in the United States, and there are many of them, you may want to keep Some doses on hand -- especially if you have young children -- so you are well prepared to protect your thyroid in the event of a nuclear urgency on U.S. Soil.

Reference

1. Centers for Disease control and Prevention, often Asked Questions About Iodine-131 Found in outside Water

Radiation and Your Thyroid: 7 necessary Tips You Should Know

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