Diagnosis of Fluorosis by Analysis of Fluoride Content in Body Fluids Using Ion Selective Electrode Method

Analysis of fluoride in body fluids (urine and serum) is essential for fluorosis diagnosis. Although 24-h urine collection is adopted to assess community defluoridation/fluoride supplementation program/research studies, but not feasible for Clinical/Pathological laboratories. Patients are reluctant to bring 24-h urine samples. Hence, spot urine samples are collected in clean, dry polypropylene bottles (not glass) without any preservative and analyzed on the same day by the Ion analyzer (ISE method). Equal volumes of Total Ionic Strength Adjustment Buffer (TISAB) solution are then added with body fluids before analysis and mixed well to eliminate interference from other ions besides pH adjustment and to provide a constant ionic strength. Results are reported as mg of Fluoride/l (ppm). High fluoride level in body fluids is an indication of confirmed cases of fluorosis. Two interventions, e.g. withdrawal of fluoride intake and intake of nutritive diet was introduced for prevention and control of fluorosis. The present study is to provide useful guidelines for monitoring of fluorosis disease in human beings, those who are at the risk of fluoride exposure.