What is Potassium Iodide? (chemical abbreviation is KI)

Potassium Iodide (KI) is used by health officials worldwide to prevent thyroid cancer in people who are exposed to radioactive iodides caused by nuclear reactor accidents and nuclear bombs. It protects against radioactive iodine by preventing its absorption by the thyroid gland located in the neck. Thyroid cells are unique among all cells of the human body as they are the only cells which have the ability to absorb Iodine. The thyroid gland absorbs it from the bloodstream and concentrates it inside the cell to produce hormones. For radiation that is not immediately lethal, the thyroid is your body's most sensitive organ to the effects of radiation. The Radioactive Iodine is absorbed by the thyroid and can cause thyroid disease and cancer later on. Sometimes it only takes a short time if the victim is a child because a child’s thyroid is very active in helping the child to grow. FDA Approved IOSAT and ThyroShield saturates the thyroid with stable iodine, shutting off its absorption mechanism, and it will remain off long enough for the radioactive iodine that you inhaled or ingested to to be safely disbursed through the kidneys. IOSAT KI is the only FDA-approved full strength thyroid blocking tablet available to the public. ThyroShield is the only liquid Potassium Iodide approved by the FDA.

How it works

The thyroid is the only part of the body that absorbs and stores iodine. By taking FDA Approved potassium iodide prior to exposure of radioactive iodine, your thyroid will become saturated with safe, stable iodine. This will prevent your thyroid's absorption of any additional iodine (radioactive or not) long enough for the radioactive iodine inhaled or ingested to be safely dispersed through the kidneys. Outcome: No Thyroid Cancer

What is Radioactive Iodine?

One of the most feared consequences of a nuclear reactor accident or nuclear bomb is the release of a radioactive iodine plume into the environment. Radioactive Iodine (I-131) is a by-product of nuclear fission which occurs only within a nuclear reactor or during detonation of a nuclear bomb. What makes radioactive iodine so dangerous is that the body cannot distinguish it from ordinary iodine. As a result, if swallowed (in contaminated food or water), or inhaled (it can remain in the atmosphere for days), it will be absorbed into the thyroid gland (only the thyroid absorbs iodine) and may lead to thyroid cancer, especially in children. The value of Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets were demonstrated following the Chernobyl nuclear accident, where authorities began mass distribution of Potassium Iodide just hours after the explosion. In the years following the accident in areas where people received the drug, the incidence of thyroid cancer has not increased. But where Potassium Iodide was not distributed, previously rare forms of juvenile thyroid cancer have begun appearing at epidemic rates, with over 11,000 known cases. This number continues to rise and is not expected to peak until 2010.

Do I need a prescription?

Because of the inherent safety of Potassium Iodide that is FDA Approved, it is available without a prescription for radiation protection. Its use, however, should be limited to radiation emergencies and only when recommended by emergency response authorities.

How much should I buy?

We recommended one Iosat pack or one ThyroShield bottle per person for storing at home. Each Iosat pack
has 14 130mg tablets. A two week supply for an adult and a 28+ day supply for a child. One ThyroShield bottle has 30ml, a 15 day supply for an adult or month+ supply for a child. However, you should consider stocking Potassium Iodide outside the home as well. You wouldn't want to get caught without Potassium Iodide if something should happen. Can you imagine the traffic jam as everyone leaves town at the same time?

IOSAT Dosing

One dose every 24 hours. Take one dose as soon as possible and then every 24 hours at the same time each day. Take potassium iodide only when exposed to radioactive iodine as notified by state or local public health officials. Pills are double-scored for easy separation is desired. Follow this FDA Guideline for administering to young children if desired.

Age 18+* -----------130mg daily (One IOSAT tablet)
Age 3 - 18 -----------65mg daily (1/2 IOSAT tablet) - Adolescents approaching adult size should receive the full adult dose (130 mg).
1 month - 3 yrs. ----- 32mg daily (1/4 IOSAT tablet)
Birth - 1 month ----- 16mg daily (1/8 IOSAT tablet)