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Digitoxin is a medication which is used to treat various heart conditions. The Digitoxin test is done on patients who are on digitalis medicine, in order to determine the levels of digitoxin in the bloodstream. The margin of safety between harmful levels and therapeutic is very narrow. Too much drug usage may cause toxicity, which may prove harmful. In such a case, your doctor may reduce the medication. The Digitoxin test helps to determine the optimum level of digitoxin in the blood.

Procedure

Firstly your blood requires to be sent for testing.

• Your health care provider will clean the inside area of your elbow, or the back of your hand with an antiseptic.
• An elastic band is then wrapped around the upper arm, to constrict the artery and help the blood to accumulate in the vein.
• The health care provider then inserts a needle into the vein and draws out blood which is placed in an air tight vial.
• The elastic band is now removed and a bandage may be placed on the puncture site to stop the bleeding.
• In babies or children, a lancet is often used to puncture the skin. The blood is then collected on a test strip or slide, or in a pipette (a small glass tube).

Preparation

Consult your heath care provider to find out if you need to stop any medication, which you may be taking, since this might affect the result of the test.

How Digitoxin Test feels

You might feel a slight stinging sensation when the needle pricks your skin. There might be some throbbing later.

Risks Involved in Digitoxin Test

This is a simple procedure and there is usually no risk involved. However the size and thickness of arteries and veins, and the ability to withstand pain, differ from person to person.

• You may feel faint or light-headed.
• Although it rarely happens, a few persons may have excessive bleeding.
• Blood may accumulate under the skin at the site of the puncture causing hematoma.
• Any puncture of the skin is associated with a slight risk of infection.
• In some cases, if the vein cannot be found, multiple punctures are needed. This might cause some pain later.

Results

Abnormal levels would indicate that digitalis toxicity is already present or is likely to develop