Nicotine and Cotinine, Serum/Plasma
Test Summary
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.
Aliases
- N/A
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL serum or plasma • 2 mL whole blood
Instructions
Spin and transfer serum or plasma into a plastic, screw-capped vial.
Patient Preparation
N/A
Storage
Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
- Serum and plasma
- Room temperature: 72 hours
- Refrigerated: 21 days
- Frozen: 30 days
- Whole blood
- Room temperature: 72 hours
- Refrigerated: 21 days
- Frozen: Unacceptable
Limitations
N/A
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top), or (royal blue-top) tube • 4 mL whole blood collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Unacceptable Specimens
Gross hemolysis • Serum Separator Tube (SST®)
Order Code
NICOTN
EPIC (Premier) Code
LAB5180
Includes
N/A
CPT Code
- 80323 (HCPCS: G0480)
Billing Code
- 670355
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
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153
Department
Reference Testing
Reference Range
Nicotine, Serum/Plasma
Cotinine, Serum/Plasma
| Smoker | 2-10 ng/mL |
| Nonsmoker | ≤4 ng/mL |
Cotinine, Serum/Plasma
| Smoker | 16-145 ng/mL |
| Nonsmoker | ≤8 ng/mL |
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Monday - Saturday evening; Report available: 3 days
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL serum or plasma • 2 mL whole blood
Instructions
Spin and transfer serum or plasma into a plastic, screw-capped vial.
Patient Preparation
N/A
Storage
Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
- Serum and plasma
- Room temperature: 72 hours
- Refrigerated: 21 days
- Frozen: 30 days
- Whole blood
- Room temperature: 72 hours
- Refrigerated: 21 days
- Frozen: Unacceptable
Limitations
N/A
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top), or (royal blue-top) tube • 4 mL whole blood collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Unacceptable Specimens
Gross hemolysis • Serum Separator Tube (SST®)
Result Information
Methodology
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Testing Laboratory
N/A
Reference Range
Nicotine, Serum/Plasma
Cotinine, Serum/Plasma
| Smoker | 2-10 ng/mL |
| Nonsmoker | ≤4 ng/mL |
Cotinine, Serum/Plasma
| Smoker | 16-145 ng/mL |
| Nonsmoker | ≤8 ng/mL |
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Monday - Saturday evening; Report available: 3 days