Taking Potassium Iodate or Potassium Iodide immediately after a nuclear emergency helps keep your thyroid form absorbing radioactive iodine, which can cause cancer. It will not protect you from fallout, but taken properly, provides what the FDA calls "safe and effective means by which to prevent radioiodine uptake by the thyroid gland, under certain specified conditions of use, and thereby obviate the risk of thyroid cancer in the event of a radiation emergency." (Dont you love the way the government writes?)
Captain Dave recommends and sells Potassium Iodate because it has a longer shelf life than Potassium Iodide, does not taste bitter, is less expensive and is in convenient doses for both children and adults.
Here's what the manufacturer says about it:
POTASSIUM IODATE TABLETS 85 mg/200tablet
Each tablet contains 85mg of the active ingredient Potassium Iodate, a thyroid blocking agent.
Store in a dry, cool, secure place where children cannot reach them.
WHAT IS POTASSIUM IODATE USED FOR
Potassium Iodate tablets are used ONLY at the time of a nuclear emergency; the tablets stop the thyroid gland from taking up Radioactive Iodine (I-131), which is released into the environment following a nuclear accident. I-131 is radioactive and can kill you?especially children.
BEFORE YOU TAKE POTASSIUM IODATE (or any Thyroid Blocker)
- Are you sensitive to iodine?
- Do you suffer from dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin disease)?
- Do you suffer from hypocomplementaemic vasculitis (an inflammation of the blood vessels)?
- Have you ever been treated for thyrotoxicosis (a condition resulting from an overactive thyroid gland)?
- Do you have problems with your kidneys?
- Do you have, or are you being treated for problems with your adrenal glands?
- Are you suffering from dehydration or cramp due to extreme heat?
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- Are you taking quinidine, captopril or enalopril?
- Are you currently taking a diuretic (?water tablets?)?
IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING ANY THYROID BLOCKER--KI (POTASSIUM IODIDE) OR KIO3 (POTASSIUM IODATE)
TAKING POTASSIUM IODATE
The tablets should be taken as a single daily dose within 3 hours of exposure, or up to 10 hours after exposure, although this is less effective. Authorities will tell you if there is a need to take KIO3.
The usual recommended "daily dose" is as follows:
Adults (including the elderly) 2 tablets
Children aged 3-12 years 1 tablet
Children aged 1 month-3 years ½ tablet
Newborns to 1 month ¼ tablet
For young children or newborn children, the ½ or ¼ tablet may be crushed and taken mixed with milk or water. Under emergency conditions ½ tablet may be given to newborns as a starting dose.
In cases of prolonged exposure, repeat dosing may be necessary:
1-2 days for a "small" reactor leak
10 to 14 days for a "minor" event
Longer for a catastrophic event
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding you should normally not take more than two doses for a minor "reactor leak". Babies up to a month old should only received one dose for a minor "reactor leak". However, this should be determined by authorities.
If you swallow a lot of the tablets all together, or if you think a child has accidentally swallowed any of the tablets, contact your nearest hospital emergency room or Doctor immediately.
AFTER TAKING POTASSIUM IODATE
Potassium Iodate can be taken by the majority of people, without any problems. However, like medicines or even supplements, it may occasionally cause side-effects in some people. These may include:
- An overactive thyroid gland (characterized by weight loss, increased appetite, intolerance to heat and increased sweating)
- An enlarged thyroid gland with or without the development of a condition in which there is thickening of the skin and body tissues, most notably the face)
- Although rarely, hypersensitivity reactions such as rash, swollen salivary glands, headache, wheezing or coughing, and stomach upsets may occur. If you have these or any other effects, while taking Potassium Iodate or Potassium Iodide tell a doctor immediately.
Keep in mind that if you are allergic to any Iodine product, then you will also be allergic to Radioactive Iodine. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
