Although there is one particularly renowned use for them, potassium iodide tablets can have several uses for the human body. Whether you’re a doomsday prepper, someone under doctor’s orders, or just curious about this chemical compound, this piece may be of interest to you. So, to delay no further, here’s the straight scoop on potassium iodide, or PI for short.
Dietary Supplement
One quite common use of this compound is its administration to those with a concern for a lack of iodine in their diet. In the body, iodine is primarily used as an important regulator for the thyroid. Although most people are able to receive enough of this nutrient via regular foods like milk, vegetables, seafood, and other common sources, some still need supplementation. In the end, a simple blood test is all that’s needed in order to know one’s status here.
Condition Treatment
Iodide is also used as a medication of sorts for the treatment of numerous conditions. Hyperthyroidism is a condition of the thyroid which is often effectively treated with PI. Sporotrichosis is another condition effectively treated with iodide which otherwise affects the skin and eventually, the internal organs in progression. In Zygomycosis, a severe fungal infection which starts on the face, PI is also an effective treatment.
Radiation Protectant
Finally, the most renowned and talked-about use of PI is that of a protection against radiation. Many believe this type of iodide is actually a complete protection against the ills of radiation exposure, but this is simply not true. While it is true that PI will work to protect the thyroid from radiation, and in turn, make survival a much greater possibility, it does not facilitate any sort of full-body protection from radiation.
Nonetheless, packaged and sold as a survival supplement in this aspect, PI is a successful product for anyone wishing to market it. In fact, because of its true usefulness as discussed above, many governments stock and even give it out to certain portions of the population more susceptible to a possible exposure incident. Pennsylvania and South Carolina are just a few of the states where iodide is offered for free to those living within close proximity of a nuclear facility of any sort.
Side Effects
Supplement, drug, or chemical compound – whatever you may call it, this substance is relatively safe for humans in nearly all cases. With all things we ingest, though, there is a slight risk that one could experience side effects from PI. Although very rare, the side effects of PI can include:
– swelling of the neck or throat
– chest pain
– headache
– metallic taste
– puffy eyelids
– fever, cold symptoms
– a high potassium level
As with any other situation, anyone experiencing such symptoms as these should always seek medical help right away.
Iodide is an important component to the human body. Outside of normal times and health, it can also be used to treat several health conditions, and even help to slow or prevent some radiation poison upon an exposure event. For those looking for even more in-depth information about potassium iodide or any other type of drug, the Food and Drug Administration is typically unparalleled resource.
