Table 1.

Advantages and disadvantages of dual- and triple-tracer methods

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Dual-tracer method	Requires only two tracers Requires only one tracer infusion pump Less expensive than the triple-tracer approach	Gives an inaccurate assessment of the rates of EGP, Rameal, and Rd, with the error being the largest during the first 1–2 h after meal ingestion
Triple-tracer method	Provides more accurate assessment of the rates of EGP, Rameal, and glucose disposal following ingestion of a carbohydrate-containing meal	Requires three tracers Requires programmable tracer infusion pumps Costs approximately 33% more than the dual-tracer method Requires analysis of the enrichment/specific activities of three tracers Requires EGP to be calculated directly rather than by subtracting Rameal from total Ra Requires a few pilot studies to confirm that the tracer infusion profiles are appropriate