Meltdown in Japan: Is Potassium Iodide Enough?

[Guest guest]

Meltdown in Japan: Is

Potassium Iodide Enough?

Infants and children are more susceptible

to thyroid cancer from radiactive iodine. Prevention for them is the highest

priority.

Yesterday evening,

Tuesday, March 15, 2011, the Chicago Tribune and the Associated Press[1]

released interesting consumer news related to the nuclear crisis in

Japan. They noted that potassium iodide supplements can protect the

thyroid gland if taken before or shortly after a radiation exposure. This is

well-known enough that as of Tuesday, stores were selling the supplement

rapidly or were already completely sold out.

A reporter interviewed

Troy , President of nukepills.com in sville, N.C. He told them that

in a normal four-day period, he'd sell only 100 packages of potassium iodide.

But in the last four days, he's sold 6,500 orders. Most of the orders have come

from US West Coast states, including Washington, Oregon, and California.

But even on the US East

Coast, health department personnel have reported rising public interest in

nearby nuclear power plants. " A Pennsylvania hotline that normally gets five

to 10 calls a week about storing the [potassium iodide] pills has fielded 85

such inquiries in the past two days. " [1]

The news report stated the obvious: These US customers are people

" who want to protect themselves from any Japanese radiation. " [1]

But concerns about radiation exposure aren't limited to the US consumers.

A reporter quoted Raphael Karunditu, President of California-based Gamma-Scout:

" The phone has been ringing off the hook, " he said. " We have

hundreds-upon-hundreds of orders, and our partner in Germany is talking about

thousands of orders at his site. " [1]

Authors of the news report point out that Russians have a vivid memory of

the Chernobyl disaster 25 years ago. And concern over the ongoing nuclear

crisis in Japan is reflected in sales of potassium iodide products.

" Pharmacies in Vladivostok, a major port just west of Japan, had run out

of the pills, " [1] the report said.

The Information Below Reaches Far Beyond the Crisis in Japan. People in

Japan (many of whom read drlowe.com) can use the information I provide below.

Also, if winds carry radioactive elements from Japan to other countries, the

information can benefit people in those countries.

However, even if

radiation from Japan doesn't reach the US, we have 104 nuclear power plants of

our own. Recent climatic and other crises make one or more human-harming

nuclear disasters in the US far from unlikely. A close nuclear disaster not

only threatens us with soon-occurring thyroid cancer; it also poses other

serious health risks literally for decades to come. I explain after mentioning

the immediate value of potassium iodide.

Radioactive Iodide Released

in a Nuclear Plant Meltdown

Many people are obviously

aware that iodine-131 is a radioactive element released into the environment

during nuclear meltdowns. Most people are probably also aware that potassium

iodide can block the entry of radioactive iodide into the thyroid gland. If

taken quickly enough, the potassium iodide can prevent thyroid cancer. Lots of

folks fear that radiation-induced thyroid cancer is fatal, but hold on;

information below may assuage the fear (see A positive note below). If

consumers weren't aware of these issues, of course, sales of potassium iodide

wouldn't have skyrocketed in the last several days.

It is entirely proper to

focus on protecting one's thyroid gland as the initial effort before or upon

radiation exposure. Consider a 2004 report in Indopedia about the " acute

effects " of radiation exposure following the 1986 Chernobyl accident:

" Some children in

the contaminated areas were exposed to high thyroid doses . . . because of an

intake of radioactive

iodine, a relatively short-lived isotope, from contaminated

local milk. Several studies have found that the incidence of thyroid cancer among

children in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia has risen sharply. " [7] (Italics

mine.)

A positive note. The

Indopedia report[7] contains a note that may temper some people's fears:

" The childhood thyroid cancers that have appeared [in and near Chernobyl]

are of a large and aggressive type, and if detected early, can be treated.

Treatment entails surgery followed by iodine-131 therapy for any

metastases. " The authors continue, " To date, such treatment appears

to have been successful in all diagnosed cases. "

This note indicates that if potassium iodide fails us, rapid diagnosis

and effective treatment of the thyroid cancer can prevent a lethal outcome. To

avoid well-known potential problems in consulting endocrinologists, I recommend

that patients consult ear-nose-and-throat specialists, who in general have a

more collaborative and friendly toward their patients.

This note indicates that if potassium iodide fails us, rapid diagnosis

and effective treatment of the thyroid cancer can prevent a lethal outcome. Of

course, many people would anticipate well-known potential problems in with

consulting endocrinologists. Because of this, I recommend that patients consult

ear-nose-and-throat doctors who specialize in thyroid surgery. They generally

are friendlier and more collaborative with their patients.

When and when not to take

potassium iodide. As I said above, if taken in time, potassium iodide blocks the

thyroid gland's uptake of radioactive iodine. It's important, though, to take

potassium iodide only during acute radiation exposure.

Severe acute radiation exposure usually kills people through systemic

infections.[10] This is due to impairment of the immune system and damage to

the lining of the GI tract and lungs. It's possible that potassium iodide can

provide some protection of the GI and respiratory tract linings. The protection

would come from the potassium iodide blocking some secretion of radioactive

iodine in the mucous membrane linings of the GI and respiratory tracts.

However, it's not likely that potassium iodide would protect us in any

other ways. And, then, we still have strontium-90, xenon-135, and other

radioactive elements to protect ourselves from. Our concern shouldn't be

restricted to the time of acute exposure during a meltdown; it should extend

many years into the future.

When strontium-90 enters the body, it's taken up mainly by bone and

teeth.[4,5] It's mainly in bone where the radioactive element does

damage. Xenon-135 disperses throughout and damages the whole body.

During a meltdown, we can reduce the amounts of strontium-90 and

xenon-135 that enter our bodies. We can do so by confining ourselves to a

structure such as a house that impedes the flow of radioactivity. We can also

reduce our intake by bathing and either washing or disposing of contaminated

clothes. It's also possible that taking small amounts of calcium at frequent

intervals will reduce the strontium-90 entry through the GI tract. This is

possible because calcium in the GI tract competitively reduces strontium

absorption into the blood.[3.p.447]

The CDC's[8] recommended dose schedule is as follows:

Adults: one 130

mg tablet, two 65 mg tablets, or 2 mL of solution.

Breastfeeding women: one 130

mg tablet.

Children 3 to

18 years old: one 65 mg tablet or 1 mL of solution.

Children who are adult size

(150 pounds or more): one 130 mg tablet, despite age.

Infants and children between 1

month and 3 years old: 32 mg (½ of a 65 mg tablet, or ½ mL of solution). The

dose is recommended for nursing and non-nursing infants and children.

Newborns from

birth to 1 month of age: 16 mg (¼ of a 65 mg tablet or ¼ mL of solution). The

dose is recommended for both nursing and non-nursing newborn infants.

The CDC emphasizes that

no additional protection is provided by larger doses of potassium iodide. Also,

taking potassium iodide for long times risks harm to oneself setting off the

Wolff-Chaitoff buffering effect. This effect leaves some people with

Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Also, some people with

severe cortisol deficiencies may have low body sodium but high potassium

levels.[12] In using potassium iodide properly (usually only over several

days), the potassium intake would be small. Nonetheless, in extreme case, a

cortisol deficient person may already have high potassium. This person might be

harmed by taking additional potassium as potassium-iodide.

Radioactive Elements Other

than Iodine-131

Many people, then, are

aware of the potential of radiation-induced thyroid cancer and the protection

given by potassium iodide. Fewer people, though, seem to be aware that

radioactive forms (isotopes) of other elements are also released into the

environment during a nuclear meltdown. Two elements of major concern are

strontium-90 and xenon-135. Poisoning by xenon-135 was a major source of harm

to people during and after the Chernobyl disaster.[2,p.421] But

other radioactive elements are also long-lived. Noteworthy examples are

xenon-133 and caesium-137.[7]

Long-term avoidance of radioactive elements from a meltdown. Keeping

potassium iodide on hand is important during early exposure to radiation.

However, our efforts to reduce harm from radiation should also be long-term.

Strontium-90, for example, is an abundant by-product of nuclear fission.

If it escapes into the air during a meltdown, wind currents can carry it to far

distances. Eventually, gravity, rain, or snow causes the wind to drop the

strontium-90 from the air onto the earth.

On the ground, the strontium-90 contaminates the grass in cow pastures

and plants grown for food, such as corn and wheat. When animals such as cows

consume the strontium-90, and humans consume parts of the cows and drink their

milk, the strontium-90 ends up in many of our tissues. (Of the total body

content of humans, however, 99% is in bones and teeth.[4,5]) Of

course, seafood and birds may also take in the radioactive element, and it can

contaminate water.[4,5]

The importance of avoiding the intake of strontium-90 by any route was

highlighted in a 2011 health policy report.[6] The

report was based on measurements of the strontium-90 levels in 85,000 teeth.

Researchers collected the teeth from Americans born during the nuclear

bomb-testing years.

The researchers reported an eye-opening finding: Compared to teeth from

people who didn't die of cancer, the average strontium-90 content of teeth from

people who died of cancer was significantly higher. They concluded, " This discovery suggests that many

thousands have died or will die of cancer due to exposure to [nuclear] fallout,

far more than previously believed. " [6,p.1]

(Italics mine.) This may apply to people exposed to radiation from nuclear

plant meltdowns.

A 2004 Indopedia report about the Chernobyl accident is important to a

proper perspective on the priorities of different radioactive elements. The

authors wrote: " Right after the accident, the main health concern involved

radioactive iodine, with

a half-life of eight days. Today, there is concern about contamination of the

soil with strontium-90 and caesium-137, which have half-lives of about 30

years. The highest levels of caesium-137 are found in the surface layers of the

soil, where they are absorbed by plants and mushrooms and enter the local food

supply. Recent tests have shown that caesium-137 levels in trees of the

[Chernobyl] area are continuing to rise. " (Italics mine.)

The point, of

course, is the matter of extreme differences in the half lives of different

radioactive elements. The lesson is, focus first on radioactive iodine, but

don't forget to avoid long-term the more long-lived radioactive elements. The

long-term avoidance involves abstaining from ingesting potentially-contaminated

plant and animal foods.

Does Taking Thyroid Hormone Protect

Against

Radioactive Iodine?

Many people take enough

thyroid hormone to lower their TSH levels below the lower limit of the

reference range. A low TSH level usually reduces the size of the thyroid gland.

The gland also takes up less iodide and produces less thyroid hormone, although

it still produces some. Perhaps an atrophied gland also takes up less

radioactive iodine.

Question arises, then: Are people who take TSH-lowering doses of a

thyroid hormone protected to some degree from radioactive iodine-induced

thyroid cancer? And what about people who don't take thyroid hormone? They are

dependent on their thyroid glands taking up enough iodide to produce sufficient

amounts of thyroid hormone. Because of this, do they take up more radioactive

iodine, too, making them more susceptible to thyroid cancer?

I haven't found studies showing that people who take TSH-lowering doses

of thyroid hormone are better protected from thyroid cancer induced by

radioactive iodine. However, thyroid cancer patients in general prevent

recurrences by taking TSH-suppressive doses of thyroid hormone. It may be,

then, that other people who take TSH-suppressive doses are better protected

than others from iodine-131 induced thyroid cancer.[9]

Protection by a Strong Immune

System

As I wrote above, death

from radiation exposure appears to result mainly from systemic infections.[10] On

principle, the people most susceptible to infection are those with weak immune

systems.

As I showed in The Metabolic

Treatment of Fibromyalgia,[11,pp.635-680] parts of the immune

system are impaired in most people who are hypothyroid or thyroid hormone

resistant. Effective thyroid hormone therapy (usually not T4 replacement!) is

essential for these people to recover normal or even stronger immune function.

In addition, though, they-like everyone else-would be prudent to also protect

themselves in another way: by taking an array of dietary supplements that

studies show boost immune efficiency.

A Final Thought

I believe another piece

of news from the Chicago

Tribune and the Associated Press[1] is encouraging:

In the last several days, " . . . companies that sell Geiger counters have

been overwhelmed with orders. " This is crucially important, as potassium

iodide will serve us only during acute radiation exposure. A Geiger counter can

signal when it's proper to take potassium iodide.

The CDC tells us that local emergency management or public health

officials will let us know when we can safely stop taking potassium iodide.[8] Some

of us, however, are more trusting of our own judgment and would prefer to

supplement the advice of public officials with a report by our personal Geiger

counters. The Geiger counter can let us know when the radiation level has

safely dropped; it can thus enable us to avoid harm that occasionally results

from human error of public health officials.

(References

below)

Respectfully,

Dr. C. Lowe

Director of Research:

Fibromyalgia Research Foundation

Editor-in-Chief:

ThyroidScience.com

drlowe@...

Editor@...

drlowe@..., tammy@...

References

1. Nuclear

crisis spikes sales of anti-radiation iodine pills. The

Seattle Times. Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 8:32 PM.

2.

Pfeffer, J.I. and Shlomo, N.: Modern

Physics: An Introductory Text. Imperial College Press, 2000.

3.

Underwood, E.J.: Trace

Elements in Human and Animal Nutrition. NY, Academic Press, 1977.

4.

Schroeder, H.A., Tipton, I.H., and Nason, A.P.: J. Chronic Dis., 25:491, 1972.

5. Wolf,

N., Gedalia, I., Yarilv, S., et al.: Arch. Oral Biol., 18:233, 1973.

6.

Mangano, J.J. and Sherman, J.D.: Elevated in vivo strontium-90 from nuclear

weapons test fallout among cancer decedents: a case-control study of deciduous

teeth. Intern.

J. Health Services, 41(1):137-158, 2011.

7. The

Chernobyl Accident. Indopedia. Dec. 2004. http://www.indopedia.org/Chernobyl_accident.html.

8.

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Potassium iodide (KI). Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp.

9. Kaplan,

E.L.: Recent developments in radiation-induced carcinoma of the thyroid. Surg. Clin. North Am., 56(1):199-205,

1976.

10. Brook,

I., Elliot, T.B., Ledney, G.D., et al.: Management of postirradiation

infection: lessons learned from animal models. Mil. Med., 169:194-197,

2004.

11. Lowe,

J.C.: The Metabolic Treatment of

Fibromyalgia. Boulder, McDowell Publishing Co., 2000.

12.

, J.L.: Adrenal

Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome.Petaluma, Smart

Publications, 2002.