Potassium iodide protects against the harmful effects of radioactive iodine

Jean-Charles Martin, T. Pourcher, Guillaume Phan, J. Guglielmi, Caroline Crambes, F. Caire-Maurisier, Dalila Lebsir, D. Cohen, Clément Rosique, Lun Jing, Maha Hichri, Lisa Salleron, Jacques Darcourt, M. Souidi, M. Benderitter. Review of the PRIODAC project on thyroid protection from radioactive iodine by repeated iodide intake in individuals aged 12+. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1530/ETJ-23-0139

Confirms that potassium iodide intake reduces radioactive iodine accumulation in the thyroid during nuclear incidents.

Rafi Auliya Arbani Arbani, Irma Seliana. Impact of Nuclear Radiation Exposure on Humans and Ecosystems: The Urgency of Iodine Pills in Emergency Management. 2025. https://doi.org/10.33005/jdiversemedres.v2i9.151

Highlights that iodine pills play a crucial role in blocking I-131 absorption and reducing thyroid cancer risks.

P Verger, A Aurengo, B Geoffroy, B Le Guen. Iodine kinetics and effectiveness of stable iodine prophylaxis after intake of radioactive iodine: a review.. 2001. https://doi.org/10.1089/10507250152039082

Shows that ingestion of potassium iodide effectively protects against thyroid irradiation by blocking radioiodine uptake.

M Pfinder, S Dreger, L Christianson, S K Lhachimi, H Zeeb. The effects of iodine blocking on thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism and benign thyroid nodules following nuclear accidents: a systematic review.. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1088/0952-4746/36/4/R112

Finds evidence that KI administration following nuclear accidents reduces the risk of thyroid cancer, particularly in children.

Christoph Reiners, Rita Schneider. Potassium iodide (KI) to block the thyroid from exposure to I-131: current questions and answers to be discussed.. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-013-0462-0

States that high doses of potassium iodide are effective in blocking radioiodine uptake and preventing thyroid cancer.

M Dayem, V Navarro, R Marsault, J Darcourt, S Lindenthal, T Pourcher. From the molecular characterization of iodide transporters to the prevention of radioactive iodide exposure.. 2006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2006.07.015

Explains that stable potassium iodide effectively blocks thyroid iodine uptake through physiological inhibition mechanisms.

João Pedro da Silva Lopes, Joana Barbosa, Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira. Clinical and forensic aspects of potassium iodide: Suddenly in high demand across Europe due to fears of radiation poisoning from a nuclear attack in Ukraine.. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.14052

Confirms potassium iodide's role as the primary choice for shielding the thyroid during radiation emergencies involving radioiodine.

Z Franić. Iodine prophylaxis and nuclear accidents.. 1999. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10566200/

Notes that radioiodine uptake by the thyroid can be effectively blocked by administration of stable potassium iodide pills.