Potassium iodide or KI provides wide-ranging benefits and can help correct specific types of medical conditions. When the body is lacking in iodine, different medical issues can result, such as Hashimoto's disease or thyroid disease. Aside from the body's internal need for it, iodine is known for its antiseptic properties and helps to protect those who have been exposed to radiation.
Iodine Deficiency
Potassium iodine is used to correct iodine deficiency, which can lead to medical conditions such as an underactive or overactive thyroid. Iodine is often added to table salt--"iodized" salt--according to eNotAlone.com.
When public health personnel are working to reverse iodine deficiency, they do so under medical supervision, especially when working to supplement iodine intake in children or expectant mothers.
Disinfectant
Betadine contains povidone-iodine, a known antiseptic. Iodine is a common topical disinfectant used in hospital operating rooms to sterilize skin over an area that is going to be operated on. Betadine is also used to disinfect wounds to prevent infection.
For hospital patients who are being catheterized, the catheter entry site is sterilized with iodine before the catheter is inserted, according to the eNotAlone website.
Thyroid Conditions
Medical doctors and practitioners of complementary medicine utilize iodine in patients suffering from hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid and hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid. Patients suffering from chronic Hashimoto's disease or thyroiditis are also treated with potassium iodine, according to the Schachter Center for Complementary Medicine.
Medical specialists test these patients for iodine insufficiency by using the iodine-loading, 24-hour urine iodine test. For those patients found to be iodine-insufficient, the addition of iodine to their diets seems to have a positive effect, says the Schachter Center.
Water Purification
Iodine tablets or solutions are used to purify water in emergency situations. Because of its antimicrobial properties, iodine will kill illness-causing microorganisms. After the solution or tablets have been added to the water, it takes about 15 minutes for iodine to kill the germs, according to eNotAlone.com.
Radiation Emergency
Potassium iodide or KI, can help prevent radiation poisoning after exposure to radiation. The potassium iodide works to reduce the levels of radioactive iodine uptake in the thyroid. This helps to reduce the potential of developing thyroid cancer at a later time, according to eNotAlone.com.
While KI does provide protection against thyroid cancer after radiation exposure, it does not provide immediate protection against radiation damage and it does not have any protective benefits against other complications stemming from radiation exposure, according to eNotAlone.com.
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