Banner Image

Test Directory

Vitamin B3

Test Summary

Nicotinic acid occurs naturally in plants and animals and is also added to many foods as a vitamin supplement.

Aliases

  • N/A

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

2 mL frozen serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Instructions

See Vitamin Collection Link

Patient Preparation

N/A

Storage

N/A

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: Unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: Unacceptable
  • Frozen: 30 days

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

Frozen plasma collected in a light protected EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Unacceptable Specimens

Serum separator tubes

Order Code

VTMB3

EPIC (Premier) Code

LAB5502

Includes

Nicotinamide and Nicotinic Acid

CPT Code

  • 84591

Billing Code

  • 670796

CPT Statement

Methodology

Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

FDA Status

This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has determined that such clearance or approval is not necessary. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Physician Attestation of Informed Consent

N/A

Testing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Valencia
27027 Tourney Road
Valencia CA, 91355

Department

Reference Testing

Reference Range

Nicotinamide
Nicotinamide is a metabolite of nicotinic acid. Due to the large variability in the metabolism of nicotinic acid, plasma concentrations of this metabolite are variable. In one study, fasting plasma concentrations were reported to be approximately 40 ng/mL. In another study it was reported that the administration of a single 1000 mg of extended-release tablet of nicotinic acid resulted in a mean peak nicotinamide concentration of 400 ng/mL between 5 and 10 hours post dose, decreasing to about 100 ng/mL by 16 hours post dose.

Nicotinic Acid
Due to the large variability in the metabolism of nicotinic acid, the dosing preparation used (immediate-release vs. extended release), and the mg doses used, the serum concentrations may range from less than 20 ng/mL to about 30,000 ng/mL. After oral administration of an immediate-release tablet, peak plasma concentrations occur in 4 to 5 hours. The plasma half-life of nicotinic acid is about one hour. In one study, fasting plasma concentrations were reported to be less than 20 ng/mL. In another study, it was reported that the administration of a single 1000 mg extended-release tablet resulted in mean nicotinic acid concentrations of less than 50 ng/mL.

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; Report available: 2 - 4 days

Resources

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

2 mL frozen serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Instructions

See Vitamin Collection Link

Patient Preparation

N/A

Storage

N/A

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: Unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: Unacceptable
  • Frozen: 30 days

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

Frozen plasma collected in a light protected EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Unacceptable Specimens

Serum separator tubes

Billing

CPT Code

  • 84591

Billing Code

  • 670796

CPT Statement

Result Information

Methodology

Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Testing Laboratory

N/A

Reference Range

Nicotinamide
Nicotinamide is a metabolite of nicotinic acid. Due to the large variability in the metabolism of nicotinic acid, plasma concentrations of this metabolite are variable. In one study, fasting plasma concentrations were reported to be approximately 40 ng/mL. In another study it was reported that the administration of a single 1000 mg of extended-release tablet of nicotinic acid resulted in a mean peak nicotinamide concentration of 400 ng/mL between 5 and 10 hours post dose, decreasing to about 100 ng/mL by 16 hours post dose.

Nicotinic Acid
Due to the large variability in the metabolism of nicotinic acid, the dosing preparation used (immediate-release vs. extended release), and the mg doses used, the serum concentrations may range from less than 20 ng/mL to about 30,000 ng/mL. After oral administration of an immediate-release tablet, peak plasma concentrations occur in 4 to 5 hours. The plasma half-life of nicotinic acid is about one hour. In one study, fasting plasma concentrations were reported to be less than 20 ng/mL. In another study, it was reported that the administration of a single 1000 mg extended-release tablet resulted in mean nicotinic acid concentrations of less than 50 ng/mL.

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; Report available: 2 - 4 days

Files