DIGOXIN LEVEL

Test Code

LAB23

Preferred Specimen

One 6 mL red top tube
Pediatric: One red top microtainer

Other Acceptable Specimens

Dark Green

Instructions

Sample must be centrifuged within two hours of collection. Serum/plasma must be removed from the red cells and put into aliquot tubes following centrifugation.
Specify dosage history. Do not collect sooner than eight hours after last dose. Time drawn must be written on label

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Centrifuge within two hours of collection
Ambient: 48 hours Refrigerated: 48 hours Frozen: 7 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Samples drawn in a tube with a separator gel will be rejected. The separator gel may cause falsely lower results.

Methodology
Immunoturbidimetric

Setup Schedule

Sunday-Saturday

Clinical Significance

Digoxin therapy requires ~5-7 days (half-life ~ 36-48 hours). In renal failure, 15-20 days may be required to reach steady-state.
Trough levels are drawn immediately before the next scheduled dose. Trough levels are initially drawn 3-5 days after initiating therapy. Levels
are drawn 12-24 hours after a loading dose.
Consider monitoring renal function, electrolytes (K+, Mg++), heart rate

Performing Laboratory
West Virginia University Hospital, Inc.
Berkeley Medical Center
Braxton County Memorial
Camden Clark Medical Center
Garrett Regional Medical Center
Jackson General Hospital
Jefferson Medical Center
Princeton Community Hospital
Potomac Valley Hospital
Reynolds Memorial Hospital
Summersville Regional Medical Center
St. Joseph’s Hospital
United Hospital Center
Uniontown Hospital
Wetzel County Hospital
Wheeling Hospital

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.