Test directory: Digoxin

Ordering Code 437
Test Name Digoxin
Preferred Specimen Serum
Preferred Container SST (Gold)
Other Specimen/Container Plasma in Lithium Heparin (Green),
Serum in Plain (Red)
Optimum Volume 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions Blood samples for digoxin should be collected at trough levels which is just prior to the next drug dose or at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours after the previous digoxin dose. Considering a blood elimination half-life of 1.5 days, steady state blood concentrations require approximately 1 week after initiation of therapy - or longer in case of abnormal kidney function.
Handling Instructions Send aliquot if transport time >24 hours.
Transport Requirements Oahu: Refrigerated
Airline: Frozen
Send frozen aliquot if transport to laboratory is >2 Days
Specimen Stability Ambient: 7 Days
Refrigerated: 24 Hours (Centrifuged, unaliquoted gel separator tubes) 14 Days (Aliquot)
Frozen: 6 Months (Aliquot)
Frozen samples should be thawed only once.
Test cannot be added to >24 hours unaliquoted specimens collected in a gel separator tube.
Rejection Criteria Hemolyzed, Insufficient quantity, Specimen older than stability limits, Uncentrifuged gel separator tube specimens >2 hours old, Unaliquoted gel separator tube specimens >24 hours old
Avail. Stat YES
Analytic Time 1 Day
Methodology Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay

Reference range(s)

Component Age Male Norm Male Critical Low Male Critical High Female Norm Female Critical High Female Critical Low Units Add'l info
Digoxin ALL 0.6-2.0 >= 2.5 0.6-2.0 >= 2.5 ng/mL