I haven't heard anyone stocking up on potassium iodide (sp). Your thoughts?
I have had some for a while. When Fukishima blew, I looked for more and it was impossible to find. I looked at my potassium iodide and it was past the expiration date. I still have it, but I really wonder about shelf life. I it an FDA thing about labeling date of expiration, or is it still beneficial? I know that after Fukishima, all of a sudden the manufacturer got busy and made a bunch. I also remember that it is only recommended for younger people.
I'm only posting part of the information. There is more information there that is worth reading. I think I'll print it out and put it with mine.
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/ki.htmHow does KI (potassium iodide) work?
The thyroid gland cannot tell the difference between stable and radioactive iodine. It will absorb both.
KI (potassium iodide) blocks radioactive iodine from entering the thyroid. When a person takes KI, the stable iodine in the medicine gets absorbed by the thyroid. Because KI contains so much stable iodine, the thyroid gland becomes “full” and cannot absorb any more iodine—either stable or radioactive—for the next 24 hours.
KI (potassium iodide) may not give a person 100% protection against radioactive iodine. Protection will increase depending on three factors.
- Time after contamination: The sooner a person takes KI, the more time the thyroid will have to “fill up” with stable iodine.
- Absorption: The amount of stable iodine that gets to the thyroid depends on how fast KI is absorbed into the blood.
- Dose of radioactive iodine: Minimizing the total amount of radioactive iodine a person is exposed to will lower the amount of harmful radioactive iodine the thyroid can absorb.
Who can take KI (potassium iodide)?
The thyroid glands of a fetus and of an infant are most at risk of injury from radioactive iodine. Young children and people with low amounts of iodine in their thyroid are also at risk of thyroid injury.
Infants (including breast-fed infants)
Infants have the highest risk of getting thyroid cancer after being exposed to radioactive iodine. All infants, including breast-fed infants need to be given the dosage of KI (potassium iodide) recommended for infants.
- Infants (particularly newborns) should receive a single dose of KI. More than a single dose may lead to later problems with normal development. Other protective measures should be used.
- In cases where more than one dose is necessary, medical follow up may be necessary.
Children
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that all children internally contaminated with (or likely to be internally contaminated with) radioactive iodine take KI (potassium iodide), unless they have known allergies to iodine (contraindications).
Young Adults
The FDA recommends that young adults (between the ages of 18 and 40 years) internally contaminated with (or likely to be internally contaminated with) radioactive iodine take the recommended dose of KI (potassium iodide). Young adults are less sensitive to the effects of radioactive iodine than are children.
Pregnant Women
Because all forms of iodine cross the placenta, pregnant women should take KI (potassium iodide) to protect the growing fetus. Pregnant women should take only one dose of KI following internal contamination with (or likely internal contamination with) radioactive iodine.
Breastfeeding Women
Women who are breastfeeding should take only one dose of KI (potassium iodide) if they have been internally contaminated with (or are likely to be internally contaminated with) radioactive iodine. They should be prioritized to receive other protective action measures.
Adults
Adults older than 40 years should not take KI (potassium iodide) unless public health or emergency management officials say that contamination with a very large dose of radioactive iodine is expected.
- Adults older than 40 years have the lowest chance of developing thyroid cancer or thyroid injury after contamination with radioactive iodine.
- Adults older than 40 are more likely to have allergic reactions to or adverse effects from KI.