title: Investigation into the possible mechanisms involved in altered digoxin levels in diabetic patients.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible factors which may contribute to the altered digoxin levels in diabetic patients. The digoxin levels were found to be significantly higher in diabetics (1.74 +/- 0.09 ng/ml) as compared to non-diabetics (0.76 +/- 0.07 ng /ml). There was a positive correlation between digoxin levels and glycosylated haemoglobin levels. All diabetic patients had serum creatinine, urea and potassium levels within normal limits. However, serum TSH levels were found to be significantly higher in diabetics as compared to controls. Serum tri-iodo-1-thyronine (T3) levels were found to be lower in diabetics as compared to non-diabetics. Our data suggests that diabetes-mellitus causes alteration of digoxin levels. One of the causes of this increase in digoxin levels may be a tendency towards mild hypothyroidism associated with diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Santani
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Dave
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Goyal
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004077:Digoxin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D002784:Cholesterol; D004077:Digoxin; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D013963:Thyroid Hormones