Digoxin, Serum is a blood test that measures the level of digoxin, a medication used to treat certain heart conditions, including heart failure and some abnormal heart rhythms. The test is needed to monitor whether the drug concentration is within the appropriate therapeutic range, as digoxin has a narrow safety margin. It may also help investigate symptoms of toxicity or assess dosing when kidney function changes.
Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range, meaning the difference between an effective and potentially harmful concentration can be relatively small.
A high level may indicate an increased risk of digoxin toxicity, although results must be interpreted along with symptoms, timing of the sample, and clinical condition.
Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, weakness, confusion, visual disturbances, or abnormal heart rhythms.
Yes. Toxicity can occasionally occur even when the measured concentration is within the usual therapeutic range, particularly in people with certain medical conditions or electrolyte abnormalities.
Yes. Digoxin is primarily eliminated through the kidneys, so reduced kidney function can cause the drug to accumulate and increase the risk of toxicity.