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Radiation & Thyroid Disease

The connection between thyroid disease and radiation mainly involves one particular radioactive isotope of radioactive iodine, known as I-131. This type of iodine is a byproduct of nuclear power. It is unstable and easily absorbed by the thyroid.

  1. History

    • In 1996, a nuclear incident in Chernobyl released radiation, including I-131. As many as 3,000 of the people who were exposed have had thyroid cancer, and several thousand more may develop thyroid cancer in the coming years.

    Prevention/Solution

    • A small dose of potassium iodide (KI) will saturate the thyroid with safe iodine so that the radioactive iodine (I-131) cannot affect the thyroid.

    Considerations

    • Be aware that the government and worldwide health organizations keep stockpiles of KI ready to be distributed in case of a nuclear incident.

    Medical Uses

    • Ironically, I-131 is used to destroy thyroid tissue in the treatment of some types of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. The treatment of hyperthyroidism using I-131 is common in the United States, but is generally considered a last resort in other countries.

    Warning

    • Even though you can buy KI over the Internet, KI should only be used when public health officials tell you to take it. It should only be taken according to instructions.

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