Digoxin

Category:

Digoxin

Description

Digoxin is a drug used to alleviate symptoms of heart failure and arrhythmias. This test measures the concentration of digoxin in the blood.

Heart failure makes the heart less effective at circulating blood. This makes blood backs up into the legs, hands, feet, lungs and liver, causing swelling, fatigue and breathing problems.

Digoxin strengthens the contractions of the heart, making it work more efficiently. Digoxin also helps control abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

The test to measure digoxin is ordered at the beginning of drug therapy to ensure correct dosage.

Digoxin concentration is measured by means of analysis of a blood sample drawn from the vein in the arm.

Purpose of the test

To determine if the concentration of digoxin in your blood is within therapeutic levels.

This test is prescribed after the start of digoxin therapy and at regular intervals to ensure that drug levels are within therapeutic levels.

Reference range values
Therapeutic Levels:
In case of CHF          1.024 – 1.92 nmol/L
In case of Arrhythmia  1.92 – 2.56 nmol/L
 Toxic Levels:       >3.2 nmol/L

Abnormal findings

Digoxin effects depends on each patient’s response to medications, as well as other factors such as kidney function or concurrent medications.
Some diseases that can affect levels of digoxin in the blood are:
• kidney function
• thyroid problems
• cancer
• stomach or intestinal illness
Digoxin levels need to be controlled because of a small variation from the appropriate range has important effects.  With low levels the disease symptoms can return. If the level is too high, toxicity may occur with following possible side effects:
• dizziness
• blurred vision or seeing yellow or green halos
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• irregular heartbeat
• difficulty breathing