| streetline | 14 Apr 2008 3:22 a.m. PST |
Does anyone know if US troops are given Iodine, and if so how much and why? Thanks
JDE |
| Capt Carl | 14 Apr 2008 4:59 a.m. PST |
If youre talking about nowadays, in two trips to Iraq i was never given any iodine. We got plenty of gatorade though. |
| x42brown | 14 Apr 2008 5:12 a.m. PST |
Iodine reduces the uptake of some radioactive isotopes. At one time (possibly still) the UK kept a large stock of iodine tablets for use in fall out affected areas. This may have been where you heard of them being issued to troops. Iodine in this type of quantity is not good for you but better than radiation sickness and cancer. x42 |
| streetline | 14 Apr 2008 5:12 a.m. PST |
I did mean nowadays, yes – I was just avoiding CA… :-) |
| RavenscraftCybernetics | 14 Apr 2008 6:29 a.m. PST |
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| streetline | 14 Apr 2008 8:00 a.m. PST |
its in the tablesalt. I thought they got more significant doses than that, but there may be some in the salt. |
| RavenscraftCybernetics | 14 Apr 2008 8:02 a.m. PST |
no maybe about it. All of our table salt is Iodized.
you have to buy it specifically untreated not to get Iodine. |
| Cher Ami | 14 Apr 2008 8:15 a.m. PST |
Iodine in salt is necessary for the proprer funcioning ot the Thyroid.
Iodine tablets are protective against the uptake of radioactive Iodine typically I-131 and I-125
If you flood the body with elemental Iodine then it can not take up the radioactive iodine.
This site has doses PDF link
Interestingly Iodine tablets are only recommended not mandated for those living within 10 miles of a nuclear facility |
| streetline | 14 Apr 2008 8:19 a.m. PST |
All of our table salt is Iodized Fair enough. It's more of a frowned on substance in the EU. Which is insane, given Wargames Mom's entirely correct top line. |
| x42brown | 14 Apr 2008 8:32 a.m. PST |
All US table salt is iodized. Most UK table salt isn't we have greater iodine concenration in the soil and so do our vegitables. This difference may be what is making you think of US troops being given iodine. Small quanties are essential for proper thyroid function but I know of no benifits for much in eccess of this untill the large doses for protection from radioactve istope uptake. x42 sorry about the typos my dyslexia stuff is fighting vista again |
| tmy 1939 | 14 Apr 2008 1:12 p.m. PST |
While I have heard of taking iodine to reduce uptake of radioactive isotopes, one area where soldiers might be exposed to Iodine is the Iodine water purification tablets (Portable Aqua is one brand) that are used to treat water, to make it drinkable. It's very small amounts, like 2 tablets per litre/quart of water. Iodine is pretty common as a water purifier, although I think there is some concern about the effect of repeated use. |
| adub74 | 14 Apr 2008 2:23 p.m. PST |
"concern about the effect of repeated use" That's a tough question. Go mad as a hatter tomorrow or have the runs today? I'd have to think about that one… |
