Experts advise against taking unnecessary potassium iodide

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDMar 16 2011

There is a mad rush to the stores to pick up potassium iodide supplements to guard against radiation exposure wafting over to the U.S. from Japan, an unlikely event according to experts. This is despite health officials’ warnings that these supplements are pointless and could cause adverse side effects.

Dr. Damon Arnold, director of Illinois’ Department of Public Health said, “Residents who take potassium iodide out of concern of possible radiation exposure from the events in Japan could be putting their health at risk due to side effects.” The Department recommends against taking the tablets at this time. Health officials also warned against ordering the products online.

Potassium iodide is a non-prescription drug that can be used to protect the thyroid gland from radiation exposure. It can be harmful to people with allergies to iodine or shellfish and to those with thyroid problems, renal disease and certain skin disorders and chronic diseases. These can can have serious side effects including abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

President Obama speaking on the radiation scare said, “There are some dangers for radiation release that could affect the immediate vicinity of the nuclear plants, and could potentially drift over other parts of Japan… But I've been assured that any nuclear release dissipates by the time it gets to Hawaii, much less the mainland of the United States.” Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, the county's public health chief, said, “If risk of radiation exposure became an issue, there would be plenty of warning and opportunity to obtain the medication.”

“All of the predictions are that there will not be enough radiation reaching Hawaii or the West Coast to be of any concern, said Dr. Leonard Wartofsky, an endocrinologist at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., and a past president of the Endocrine Society.“Although in Japan, especially among those living very close to the reactor, there is major exposure and there is reason to take iodide tablets or solution.” Potassium iodide is not recommended until radiation levels are in the 50-rad region, he said. “It’s not going to be anywhere near that in the United States. It's hitting the panic button unnecessarily.”

This panic started when U.S. Surgeon Regina Benjamin told NBC Bay Area people should be prepared for harmful radiation. But today, Kate Migliaccio, a spokeswoman for the federal Department of Health and Human Services, clarified Benjamin’s position. “She commented that it is always important to be prepared, however she wouldn’t recommend that anyone go out and purchase KI [Potassium Iodide] for themselves at this time…It’s important for residents who have concerns to listen to state and local health authorities.”

Parents who are concerned are urged to contact California Department of Public Health officials at the department's hot line in English and Spanish at (916) 341-3947.