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If until a few weeks ago the main health concern was the Covid pandemic, now the fear of a nuclear catastrophe, whether provoked or accidental, in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has triggered searches for and purchase of accessories with iodine In Internet. The reason is that this mineral works by protecting the thyroid from radioactive iodine that is released into the atmosphere after a nuclear accident and that can increase the risk of later developing thyroid cancerespecially in children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also responded to public concern, assuring that, although there is a risk of a nuclear accident in Ukraine due to the war, the time has not come for the population to store iodine tablets that They would serve as a shock prophylactic in the event of a radioactive catastrophe.
Is the one from the pharmacy worth it?
The General Council of Official Colleges of Pharmacists (CGCOF) has clarified that medicines with potassium iodide that are sold in Pharmacies are not effective against radioactivityand has asked citizens for “tranquility” since there has been no nuclear emergency in Ukraine that could justify the intake of iodine.
The tablets that can currently be purchased in pharmacies “have a dose of 0.1 to 0.3 milliliters of kyiv tactics to stop the advance of Russian tanks towards the capital, a minimum amount,” the person in charge warns in statements to Ep. from the Medicines Information Area of the CGCOF, Iván Espada. The iodine tablets provided for nuclear emergencies, on the other hand, “have a dose of 130 milligrams. It would take from 400 to 1,300 tablets to reach the dose of the pills, ”says the expert.
Preparations containing the indicated dose in case of nuclear disaster are distributed by the authorities in case of emergencyin a protocolized way that guarantees general access by the population in its fair dose.
When and how is potassium iodide taken?
The effectiveness of potassium iodide depends largely on the possibility of taking it in the period immediately preceding exposure or ASAP since the radioactive leak has passed into the atmosphere, warns a document prepared by the General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies. The same report points out that the risk of thyroid cancer from exposure to nuclear radiation is higher for children and decreases with age.
Potassium iodide tablets should not be taken as a general preventive measure in anticipation of an event occurring, but only when explicitly recommended by public health authorities. “For this compound to effectively block the thyroid, it needs to be given at the right time. The optimal period to take it is between less than 24 hours before and 2 hours after the scheduled start of the exposition. Its intake up to 8 hours after exposure would still be a reasonable measure, but after 24 hours it would not offer any protection, “advises the WHO in the latest updated version of its guidelines on the use of potassium iodide during nuclear emergencies. or radiological.
Doctors Lluis Vila and Juan Carlos Galofré, from the Thyroid area of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (TiroSEEN), then highlight some aspects to take into account regarding the use of iodine, the functioning of the thyroid, the consequences of radioactivity in health and how to guarantee an adequate supply of this mineral:
How does a nuclear explosion affect the thyroid gland?
After a nuclear accident, either due to an explosion or a leak of radioactive material from a nuclear power plant, it is released, among other elements, radioactive iodine (I 131). This element can be captured by the thyroid gland and thus increase the risk of cancer in this gland.
Why does it affect the thyroid gland?
Iodine is the fundamental element for the functioning of the thyroid gland. The hormones that this gland synthesizes contain iodine. For this reason, the thyroid gland naturally captures iodine in order to synthesize its hormones. Iodine uptake by the gland is directly related to its internal iodine stores. If your reserve is full, the gland will take up much less iodine (he already has enough) and the one that is left will be eliminated through the urine. On the other hand, if its deposits are empty or not well filled, the gland will be more avid for iodine. If radioactive iodine appears in this situation, the gland will capture it more avidly and the risk of the gland being affected is higher.
How can an adequate supply of iodine be guaranteed?
For the iodine stores to be well replenished, the most important thing is that the daily iodine intake is adequate. Daily needs are around 150 micrograms of iodine in the adult population, 90-120 micrograms in the child population and 250 micrograms in pregnant or breastfeeding women. To meet these requirements we have to eat foods rich in iodine and it is also convenient to consume them regularly, such as iodized salt. In our country, and in many others, foods richest in iodine son:
-The iodized salt. In Spain, the concentration of iodine in iodized salt is one of the highest in Europe (60 micrograms of iodine/g of salt), so consuming a little salt is enough to cover the daily iodine needs of the majority of the population.
-The dairy productsespecially milk, in Spain and in other European countries, provide a significant amount of iodine that has undoubtedly contributed and continues to contribute to the adequate iodine nutrition of the population that consumes these products the most. A glass of milk can provide between 40 and 50 micrograms of iodide, so it is recommended to maintain a daily intake of 2-4 dairy products. The iodine content of vegetable drinks is 2% compared to that of cow’s milk.
-In the case of pregnant women, there is a greater need for iodine, so in most cases it is recommended that they take potassium iodide tablets as supplements in quantities adjusted for this purpose, since there is not always sufficient consumption of iodized salt and dairy products to meet your needs. These tablets usually contain between 100 and 200 micrograms of iodine.
And in case of a nuclear accident or radioactive cloud?
Undoubtedly, the risk is significantly reduced if our gland has an optimal store of iodine. However, in this situation, the intake of potassium iodide tablets, but at very high doses to block any uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland. They do not serve at alls dose of tablets used in pregnant women.
The doses of the preparations for protection against radioactive iodine carry amounts that may contain between 60 and 150 milligrams of potassium iodide, that is, it exceeds the recommended daily dose by more than 500-1000 times.
At the present time, does it make sense to ingest high doses of potassium iodide? Does it pose any risk?
At this time it makes no sense to take excessive doses of iodine indiscriminately to prevent a hypothetical nuclear accident or cloud with radioactive material. If this is the case, the instructions of the competent health authority must be followed. Ingesting too much iodine can also carry health risksTherefore, in no way can these products be ingested without an express indication from the Health authorities. Excessive iodine intake can lead to excessive production of thyroid hormones (tirotoxicosis) also, although it seems paradoxical, in some cases it can cause hypothyroidism.
Does potassium iodide at high doses also protect against other effects of radiation?
No. High doses of potassium iodide, when there is a risk of contact with radioactive iodine, only minimize the risk of suffering from cancer of the thyroid gland and do not protect against the other effects that radioactivity may cause.
Iodine 131, which is used to treat some thyroid diseases, can be harmful?
No. The doses of I 131 used in the management of thyroid pathology in the hospital setting are controlled by specialists and do not cause thyroid cancer.
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