Meltdown in Japan: Is Potassium Iodide Enough?

[Guest guest]

Update Dr C Lowe LLC

Metabolic Research and Informational Consulting

March 16, 2011

www.drlowe.com Tammy@...

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.