Tincture of iodine recommended source of solely-nutritional iodine. Nutritional iodine is better supplied in the form of the less toxic iodide (see SSKI) or iodate salts, which the body can easily convert to thyroid hormone. Nevertheless, the iodide in tincture of iodine used as a water disinfectant does supply more than adequate nutritional iodine, perhaps 30 or more times the recommended daily allowance per liter or quart. Application of tincture or Lugol's to the skin also results in absorption and bioavailability of some moderate fraction of the iodine. Tincture of iodine Tincture of iodine, iodine tincture, or weak iodine solution is an antiseptic.
Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde Merthiolate-Iodine-Formaldehyde (MIF) is a solution used in biomedical laboratories for concentration of stool samples prior to microscopic investigation for parasites. Concentration of stool is necessary in order to raise sensitivity of microscopy, as in non-concentrated samples the likelihood of finding equivalents of actually present parasites is too low. MIF enables separation of different strata of stool matter, and sedimentation of stool particles that contain parasites (usually parasite eggs). After application of MIF, usually centrifugation is used for acceleration of sedimentation. The term "Merthiolate" indicates presence of thiomersal in the solution. Due to the hazardous qualities of thiomersal, it is