Digitoxin - test
Key points
- This is a blood test that measures the concentration of digitoxin (see also therapeutic-drug monitoring).
- Blood is drawn from a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
- Consult the health care provider about the need to take (or not take) your usual dose of medication before the test.
- The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age and previous experience.
Definition
This is a blood test that measures the concentration of digitoxin (see also therapeutic-drug monitoring).
How the test is performed
Blood is drawn from a vein on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the band to fill with blood.
A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
For an infant or young child, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
How to prepare for the test
Consult the health care provider about the need to take (or not take) your usual dose of medication before the test.
For infants and children:
The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age and previous experience. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:
- infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
- toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
- preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
- schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
- adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years) How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. Why the test is performedThe main purpose of this test is to monitor patients taking digitalis medications such as digitoxin in order to determine the effective drug dosage and prevent toxicity. Monitoring the drug level is important because the margin of safety between therapeutic levels and toxic levels is narrow. Normal ValuesNormal therapeutic values are 10 to 30 ng/ml. Toxicity is associated with values greater than 45 ng/ml. Note: ng/ml = nanograms per milliliter What abnormal results mean
- medication dosage is excessive or inadequate
- medication dosage is excessive or inadequate
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.