Cyanocobalamin Co-58 is radiopharmaceutical derivative of an essential vitamin B12. Radioactive isotope Co-58 has a half-life of 72 days and produces hard gamma radiation when it decays to Fe-58. In the 1960s, cyanocobalamin Co-58 was used in western European countries for the diagnosis of liver diseases: hepatitis, parenchymal liver disease, lead poisoning, and other condition. Its use was superseded by cyanocobalamin Co-57, which is marketed used for the diagnosis of pernicious anemia and as a diagnostic adjunct in other defects of intestinal vitamin B12 absorption.

Cyanocobalamin Co 57 is a manufactured form of radiolabeled vitamin B indicated as an adjunct in diagnosing intestinal cyanocobalamin malabsorption syndromes due to lack of intrinsic factor (IF) or other defects in intestinal absorption (e.g., blind loop syndrome and diverticulitis, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, lesions in the small intestine, severe pancreatitis, tropical sprue).

Iodocholesterol I-131 is a radioiodine-labeled cholesterol analog used as a diagnostic agent for Cushing's syndrome, hyperaldosteronism, and pheochromocytoma. Iodocholesterol I-131 accumulates in tissues where steroid hormones are produced, including the adrenal glands the ovaries and the testes. After binding to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors on adrenocortical cells, Iodocholesterol I-131 is internalized. As cholesterol is the precursor for all adrenocortical steroid hormones, areas of hormonal hypersecretion can be visualized using scintigraphy and the adrenocortical function can be assessed.

Se-75 norcholesterol is radiopharmaceutical derivative of cholesterol, a natural precursor in the synthesis of adrenocortical steroid hormones. Se-75 is a radioactive isotope of selenium, it has half-life period of 120 days, and emits gamma-rays upon decay. Se-75 norcholesterol was used under tradename Scintadren to diagnose a wide range of adrenal pathologies, including Cushing syndrome, Cushing's disease, carcinoma, adrenal insufficiency, and phaeochromocytoma. The drug was withdrawn in the early 2000s in favor of I-131 norcholesterol.

Norcholestenol iodomethyl I-131 (I-131 adosterol) is a cholesterol analogue, used for local diagnosis of areas with adrenal gland disorder. Upon entering the cell, adosterol is converted to a metabolically inert ester, and becomes trapped in the cell.

Fe-59 is an isotope of iron. It has a half-life of 44.5 days and decays by emitting a beta particle. In medicine, ferrous citrate Fe 59 is indicated, by intravenous administration, to determine various parameters of the kinetics of iron metabolism, including plasma iron clearance, plasma iron turnover rate, and the utilization of iron in new red blood cells. An oxidized form of iron cation, ferric cation Fe59, is also used to study the processes of iron metabolism.