Radiation fears from the shutdown of nuclear reactors in
earthquake ravaged Japan has caused a run on potassium iodide
and raised questions about the health effects of taking the
substance. It also brought warnings from health advocates not to
drink the liquid form. “There is confusion and, like most drugs,
it has lots of side effects and serious side effects,” said Dr.
Dr. Andrea Goodrich, a clinical pharmacist at Saint Mary's
Health. Potassium iodide is a common form of salt that can
protect the thyroid gland from radiation and cancer caused by
radioactive iodine. Local health stories and pharmacies report
West Michigan residents are stocking up on the substance despite
assurances from health officials there is no radiation exposure
risk in the U.S. The substance is a thyroid medication, Goodrich
said, that is available over the counter but also a prescription
product that can potentially cause under or over activity of the
thyroid gland, or enlargement. “(People could be) putting
products into their body t