Digoxin Levels - Serum

Digoxin is a medicine that is useful in treating heart problems. Your doctor can prescribe this drug to relieve the common symptoms of heart failure. Following are some common functions of digoxin that make it an effective medicine:

• Strengthens heart’s contractions
• Improves blood circulation
• Controls heart rate

Due to the significance of this drug in heart patients, it is vital to assess levels of digoxin in the bloodstream. If the serum digoxin level falls below a specific range, one can suffer from the heart symptoms again. On the other hand, higher than normal levels in digoxin analysis are essential to identify, so that the doctor can readjust the dosage of this medicine and avoid toxicity.

The digoxin levels serum test helps doctors monitor the levels and adjust the prescription. Since this drug is mainly associated with heart patients, it is crucial to understand the side effects of high digoxin in serum levels.

Some common symptoms that you can face due to abnormal levels of this drug include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Breathing difficulty
• Blurred vision
• Inconsistent heartbeat

If you notice such signs, it is crucial to visit your family physician. Since your doctor might already be aware of your heart condition, it can be easier to suggest a blood test to determine digoxin levels.

Your blood specimen plays a vital role in digoxin analysis. The testing follows the simple procedure of venepuncture, which is similar to a conventional blood test. In this process, the lab technician draws blood from a vein in your arm. There is no requirement of fasting before undergoing the digoxin levels serum test. Furthermore, it is crucial to inform the timing of your last digoxin dosage. After testing, your doctor analyses digoxin lab values and compares them with the normal range.

Choosing a reliable lab with experienced medical professionals is vital to undergo a digoxin test. This way, you can increase the chances of getting more accurate values of digoxin in serum.

You can avail digoxin levels serum test at Apollo 24|7. The testing is available at reasonable rates, along with quick report delivery. In most cases, you can receive your serum digoxin level results within 48 hours. 
 

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ranga Reddy B V A, Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad