| Ordering Code | 437 |
|---|---|
| Test Name | Digoxin |
| Alias | Lanoxin DIG |
| Preferred Specimen | Serum |
| Preferred Container | SST (Gold) |
| Other Specimen/Container | Serum in Plain (Red), Plasma in Lithium Heparin (Green-PST), Plasma in Lithium Heparin (Dark Green-PP No Gel) |
| Optimum Volume | 1 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 | All specimen types must be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection. If no gel separation present in tube and testing is delayed, plasma/serum is aliquoted from cells within 2 hours of collection Send aliquot if transport time >24 hours. |
| Transport Requirements | Oahu: Refrigerated Airline: Refrigerated |
| Specimen Stability | Ambient: 8 Hours Refrigerated: 24 Hours (Centrifuged, unaliquoted gel separator tubes), 7 Days (Aliquot) Frozen: 6 Months (Aliquot) Frozen samples should be thawed only once. |
| Rejection Criteria | Grossly 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 | Homogenous Enzyme Immunoassay (EMIT) |
Reference range(s)
The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of July 14, 2025.
| Component | Age | Male Norm | Male Critical Low | Male Critical High | Female Norm | Female Critical High | Female Critical Low | Units | Add'l info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digoxin | ALL | 0.8-2.0 | >= 2.5 | 0.8-2.0 | >= 2.5 | ng/mL |