It is advisable to check potassium levels about 2 weeks after beginning cesium, and then repeat it every two to four weeks. It is imperative that if you experience heart palpitations you have your potassium checked immediately.

The granddaddy of soil elements is potassium. Potassium is the "Cation for Anions". No, we are not turning this discussion into a chemistry class. We're just quoting a world famous botanist, who said that potassium is the locomotive which pulls the other elements around the plant and helps maintain electrical balance within the cell. Potassium is the water pressure regulator of the plant kingdom.

Potassium iodide, also called KI, only protects a person's thyroid gland from exposure to radioactive iodine. KI will not protect a person from other radioactive materials or protect other parts of the body from exposure to radiation. Since there is no way to know at the time of the explosion whether radioactive iodine was used in the explosive device, taking KI would probably not be beneficial. Also, KI can be dangerous to some people.

Potassium iodide (KI) should only be taken in a radiation emergency that involves the release of radioactive iodine, such as an accident at a nuclear power plant or the explosion of a nuclear bomb. A “dirty bomb” most likely will not contain radioactive iodine. A person who is internally contaminated with radioactive iodine may experience thyroid disease later in life. The thyroid gland will absorb radioactive iodine and may develop cancer or abnormal growths later on.

There are conditions that can cause low potassium. The Rice Diet is not one of them. We have not seen low potassium in a patient on the Rice Diet who was not either taking diuretics or taking too many laxatives.

iOSAT™ Tablets are FDA approved for seven years and should be stored unopened in a dry environment at room temperature.

Rad Block, No-Rad, LifeExtension (LEF), KI4U, NukeProtect, ProKI and KIO3 Potassium IodATE (different spelling, different drug) are not FDA Approved for radiation emergencies. The FDA has sent cease and desist letters to some of these manufacturers who recommend their product for radiation emergencies. Other products (like Rad Block) state they are manufactured in an "FDA licensed and approved over-the-counter (OTC) drug manufacturing facility".

Potassium supplements are contraindicated. Do not take potassium supplements without your doctor's approval and periodic testing. To retrieve private messages please go to and click "... new messages" up at the top of your screen..

Many authorities on radiation exposure and thyroid cancer have made statements about the benefits of Potassium Iodide following a nuclear accident. April 3, 2003 News Release - "The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that households within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant keep potassium iodide (KI) on hand to protect the thyroid in the event of an accidental or intentional release of radioactive iodines ("radioiodines") into the environment.

The FDA is the Federal agency responsible for decisions about appropriate thresholds and dosages for use of potassium iodide. The FDA published their final guidelines on the use of potassium iodide and included revised dosages and intervention levels, "Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies.

There are two FDA-approved products: "Thyro-Block" (MedPointe, Inc.), approved prior to 1/1/82, and "Iosat" (Anbex, Inc.), approved 10/14/83. These products are approved for over-the-counter (OTC) use as a thyroid-blocking agent in radiation emergencies.

Since KI protects for approximately 24 hours, it should be dosed daily until the risk no longer exists. Priority with regard to evacuation and sheltering should be given to pregnant females and neonates because of the potential for KI to suppress thyroid function in the fetus and neonate. Unless other protective measures are not available, we do not recommend repeat dosing in pregnant females and neonates.

Persons with known iodine sensitivity should avoid KI, as should individuals with dermatitis herpetiformis and hypocomplementemic vasculitis, extremely rare conditions associated with an increased risk of iodine hypersensitivity. Individuals with multinodular goiter, Graves' disease, and autoimmune thyroiditis should be treated with caution -- especially if dosing extends beyond a few days.

KI works best if used within 3-4 hours of exposure. Although FDA has not made specific recommendations for individual purchase or use of KI, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has contracted to purchase KI for states with nuclear reactors and states that have population within the 10-mile emergency planning zone, e.g., Delaware or West Virginia.