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How can you protect your thyroid from radiation?
Thyroid is one of the largest and is the most important endocrine gland in the human body. This butterfly shaped gland is located in the neck, below the thyroid cartilage, at the same level as cricoids cartilage.
The thyroid gland produces the thyroid hormone, which is carried to almost every tissue of the body by the blood. It primarily determines how fast the body uses energy and also makes proteins. In addition, it also plays an important role in the sensitiveness of the complex human body to other hormones and also helps keeping the body warm. The regular functioning of thyroid requires iodine and this iodine is usually absorbed by the thyroid gland from the bloodstream. A common phenomenon during nuclear accidents is the release of radioactive iodine. The human body and in particular the thyroid gland due to its iodine absorbing nature starts to absorb this radioactive iodine from the atmosphere which can be a huge cause for concern. The absorption of this radioactive iodine is dangerous as it can lead to the development of thyroid cancer over a period of time. The effect is more predominant in young people including infants and those below the age of 40 as they are at maximum risk of developing thyroid cancer due to exposure to radioactive iodine.
Things you can do to protect your thyroid from radiation
Potassium Iodide:
Potassium Iodide is similar to the regular iodized table salt. It basically floods the thyroid with iodine thereby preventing the thyroid from absorbing radioactive iodine. When taken at the appropriate time, it can also prevent absorption of radioactive iodine from additional food sources such as milk, air, food and water.
Potassium Iodide is a non prescription drug, which can be easily purchased over the counter as well as over the internet. It has a shelf life of at least 5 years and can be effective even up to 11 years is packed properly. However if an “expired” pill is consumed, though it may not reduce the impact of radioactive iodine, it may not be harmful.
Medical Drugs:
Alternate forms of Potassium Iodide available in the form of medical drugs also help protect your thyroid from radiation. However care should be taken that these medicines have been approved by the appropriate drug regulating agency. In the United Students, FDA approved drugs are available both in the form of tablets and solution. 130 mg tablets of Iosat and 65 mg tablets of ThyroSafe are recommended by the Food and Drug Administration to help protect the thyroid from radiation. A 65 mg/ml solution of ThyroShield is also approved but it should be noted that these drugs should not be taken in arbitrary doses and it is necessary to consult an experienced medical practitioner before consumption. These drugs when taken in excesses or in overdoses can lead to severe side effects. As the nuclear accidents are not common place occurrence, not every medical practitioner would have proficiency about these drugs and it is necessary to consult doctors who have been working in the field of radiation.
Precautions:
Potassium Iodide has been found to be safe by millions of people. However, there have also been cases wherein the patient has developed serious side-effects. People who have been allergic to potassium iodide should not take potassium iodide and look for some other alternative options.
Distribution:
In case of scarcity of potassium iodide, children and babies are to be first given potassium iodide as they have been observed to be most susceptible to the radioactive iodine. People above the age of 40 do not absorb the radioactive iodine easily and can delay their consumption of potassium iodide.
Doses:
The FDA has recommended a dosage of 15 mg for children between 0-1 months and a dosage of 30-35 mg for children between 1 month and 3 years. For 3-12 years, the dosage has to be 65 mg whereas the dosage for older people has to be greater than 130 mg. A 130 mg pill can be dissolved in 8 oz of clear liquid and 1 oz of this mixture can be fed to 0-1 months kid to constitute a 15 mg dose.
Stockpiling:
Nuclear plants are widespread throughout the world and people living near these plants very often should take adequate safety precautions. One of the common safety precautions that inhabitants near nuclear plants take is stockpiling Potassium Iodide tablets. In the unfortunate event of nuclear accidents, the effect of radioactive iodine can be minimized by immediately taking the specified doses of iodine. It is a good idea to stockpile these tablets because it has been seen in the past that the prices of these tablets often skyrockets in the case of a nuclear accident.
Evacuation:
Potassium Iodide should be considered as an adjunct to evacuation and not a total solution to exposure to radiation. Contaminated substances including milk, water and other food items should be totally avoided. However, potassium iodide must be compulsorily administered to all citizens before any evacuation is scheduled.
Potassium iodide tablets are effective in preventing the thyroid gland from absorbing iodine for about 24 hours. A single dose per day is highly advised until the risk no longer exists. It should be noted that not all radioactive releases lead to the absorption of radioactive iodine by the thyroid. Usually, local authorities inform the people in the surrounding areas on the need to take potassium iodide.
Source : http://www.healthpm.com
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