SNM is joining several medical associations to ask people not to purchase potassium iodide needlessly due to concerns about radiation fallout from nuclear power facilities in Japan.
Because there is no radiation emergency in the U.S., the joint statement from SNM, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Thyroid Association, and the Endocrine Society does not support the ingestion of potassium iodide prophylaxis at this time. Potassium iodide can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, salivary gland inflammation, hyperthyroidism, or hypothyroidism in a small percentage of people.
The growing concern surrounding the release of radiation from the earthquake and tsunami-stricken nuclear complex has raised fears of radiation exposure to populations in North America from a potential plume of radioactivity crossing the Pacific Ocean.
Radioactive iodine uptake to the thyroid can be blocked by taking potassium iodide pills. However, the statement cautions that potassium iodide should not be taken unless there is a clear risk of exposure to high levels of radioactive iodine.
