| Nagataki S, Nystrom E. "Epidemiology and Primary Prevention of Thyroid
Cancer", Thyroid, Vol 12 (2002), p889ff.
2-4 times more frequent in females
3-5% report family history, sometimes with familial adenomatours polyposis
Higher in Filipino women in Hawaii, and Asians in US
Nuclear radiation exposure, esp when occurred at age <10
No clear increased risk of nuclear exposure if occurs over age 40.
1 per million per yr cases of thyroid cancer in children under age 15 prior
to 1986 around Chernobyl, increasing after to 100 per million in Belarus
Medical Letter Vol 44 (issue 1143) Nov 11, 2002, p97 Potassium Iodide for
Thyroid Protection in a Nuclear Accident or Attack.
www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/4825fnl.htm
Taken within 12 hours before exposure to radioactive iodine, KI can
completely prevent radioiodine from entering the thyroid.
After exposure, taking KI drops off to 80% block at 2 hours, 40% block at 8
hours, 7% after 24 hours.
Adults over 40 yo have a lower risk. The recommended dose of KI for adults
over age 18 is 130 mg of KI daily, as long as there is risk of continued
exposure. Dosage for children: 4-18 yo: 65 mg/d 1 month-3 yrs: 32.5 mg
<1 month -> 16.25 mg/d Can crush adult 130 mg tab, mix with 4 tsp water
and 4 tsp of something that tastes good.
(www.fda.gov/cder/drugprepare/kiprep.htm)
Where to get KI:
Iostat (Anbex) www.nukepills.com 727-784-3483
Thyro-Block (Medpointe) www.nitro0pak.com 800-804-4147
ThyroSafe (Recip US) www.thyrosafe.com 610-942-8972 (have 65 mg pills)
Children, adolescents, and pregnant women are at greatest risk - pills should
be started as soon as possible as there is a risk of exposure.
Neonates (and others) need TFTs monitored after KI Rx. Don't give to iodine
allergic individuals, those with dermatitis herpetaformis, or
hypocomplementemic vasculitis. No Rx required for KI, it's OTC.
Information also available from the NYS DOH www.health.state.ny.us
or call 800-458-1158 x2-7550
Internal Medicine News December 1, 2002 p.36
-0-50 miles of a Nuclear Power Plant - distribute KI to individual households
in advance
51-200 miles - Stockpile KI in public facilities
http://www.state.me.us/dhs/eng/rad/potassium_iodide.htm
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