Nicotine and Metabolite Quantitation

Last Modified: 8/31/2023 3:13:53 PM


Medical Necessity Documentation:  
Client Notes:  
Patient Preparation:  
Specimen Requirements: 4.0 mL Whole Blood in a Lavender Top Tube - EDTA 
Collection Instructions: Must be centrifuged and serum separated within 2 hours of collection
Minimum Volume: 2.0 mL Whole Blood
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability: 72 hours Ambient
21 days Refrigerated (Preferred)
Rejection Criteria: Gross hemolysis • Drawn with on a SST Gold Top Tube or PST Mint Green Top Tube - Li Heparin
Reference Range:

Nicotine
Smokers 2-10 ng/mL
Nonsmokers < or =4 ng/mL

Cotinine
Smokers 16-145 ng/mL
Nonsmokers < or = 8 ng/mL 
Critical Ranges:  
Test Comments:  
Methodology: Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Clinical Significance: This assay is used for the detection of nicotine and cotinine in serum and plasma to determine the tobacco exposure status of the individual. Nicotine has a short half-life of approximately forty minutes; Its presence may indicate recent tobacco exposure. Cotinine, the major nicotine metabolite, has a half-life of 24 hours and is detectable for several days after cessation of tobacco exposure.
Documentation:  
Custom Panel: No

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Turn Around Time: 6 to 9 days
Days Performed: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Sites Performed: Quest - Chantilly
PHL Test Code: NICS
EPIC Test Code: LAB1738
Send Out Test Code: 90642
Included Tests: Cotinine; Nicotine
CPT Coding: 80323

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