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Test Code DGXN Digoxin

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Serum

Preferred Specimen: Red Top

Other Acceptable specimens: N/A

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent refrigerated at 2-8oC.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours.

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Digoxin

All

All

0.8 - 2.0 ng/mL

Note: Therapeutic ranges based on Roche Diagnostics product insert and determined in conjunction with the University of Chicago Medicine Department of Pharmaceutical Services. 

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

Digoxin

ng/mL

N/A

> 3.0

All

CPT Codes

80162

LOINC Codes

10535-3

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

N/A

Refrigerated

24 hours

Frozen

2 weeks

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Test Components

Digoxin
 

Clinical Indications

Measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of digoxin overdose and in monitoring levels of digoxin to ensure proper therapy.

Methodology

Kinetic Interaction of Microparticles in solution (KIMS) (Roche Diagnostics)

Additional Information

  • Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
  • A specimen should be collected at least 6 to 8 hours after drug administration. By this time, serum digoxin levels are expected to be in equilibrium with tissue levels and should correlate with pharmacologic effects.
  • Endogenous substances such as DLIF (digoxin-like immunoreactive factors) may interfere with this assay by yielding slightly elevated results. DLIF are observed primarily in samples from neonates, pregnant women, and acute care patients with renal or hepatic failure.
  • The manufacturer of Digoxin Immune FAb (Antibody fragment therapy) has stated that no immunoassay technique is suitable for quantitating digoxin in serum from patients undergoing this treatment.
  • Falsely elevated digoxin values are obtained in patients undergoing digitoxin therapy.
  • May have interference with samples containing human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA). Samples suspected of containing HAMA (e.g. from patients with history of mouse monoclonal antibody exposure) should be tested by an alternate method.

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour

Routine Turnaround Time: 4 hours

Testing Schedule: 24/7

Synonyms/Keyword Search

Lanoxin

Last Review Date

8/19/2024