Uses of Stable Isotopes in Clinical Diagnosis and Research
Stable isotopes are used widely in clinical diagnosis and research for their versatile properties. Here are the various uses of stable isotopes you should know about. Stable isotopes is a term that is used to describe non-radioactive atoms of the same chemical elements. Although these stable isotopes do not emit radiation, these can be used in a large variety of techniques including environmental studies, hydrology, agriculture and most importantly, clinical diagnosis and research. Some commonly used stable isotopes are Carbon-14 and Tritium or Hydrogen-3. Other isotopes like Calcium-40 and Zinc-70 are used in the extensive studies of mineral metabolism. The use of these stable isotopes has proven that there are no side effects on humans and are ethically accepted in the clinical diagnosis of children. The numerous advantages of using a stable isotope over their radioactive counterparts have made them a powerful and safe tool in the medicine world. Let us read on the uses of stab...