INTERNATIONAL UNIT Meaning and
Definition
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An international unit (IU) is a standard unit of measurement used in the field of medicine and biochemistry to express the potency or concentration of drugs, vitamins, vaccines, enzymes, hormones, and other biological substances. It is an internationally accepted scale that allows for consistent and comparable measurements across different countries and laboratories.
The concept of an international unit originated from the need to measure biological substances that do not have a stable or defined weight or volume. Since these substances are often extracted from living organisms, their potency or concentration can vary. Therefore, the IU was devised to standardize the measurement and ensure reliable comparison and dosage recommendations.
The value of an international unit is determined based on precise biological assays or tests performed in standardized laboratories. These tests evaluate the biological activity or effect of a substance rather than its physical properties. The results are then used to assign an IU value to the substance, indicating its potency or concentration relative to a specific reference standard.
Due to its international nature, the use of international units helps to establish consistency in research, clinical practice, and drug manufacturing. It ensures that healthcare professionals and scientists worldwide can interpret and compare measurements accurately, enabling effective communication and collaboration in the field of medicine and biochemistry.
