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Test Code NICOS Nicotine and Metabolites, Serum

Additional Codes

CNE Order Code: Nicotine

Reporting Name

Nicotine and Metabolites, S

Useful For

Monitoring tobacco use in a clinical setting

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum Red


Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube: Red top (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.8 mL

Collection Instructions: Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Red Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Ambient  28 days
  Frozen  28 days

Reference Values

NICOTINE

<3.0 ng/mL

 

COTININE

<3.0 ng/mL

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

CPT Code Information

80323

G0480 (if appropriate)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
NICOS Nicotine and Metabolites, S 90226-2

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
21313 Nicotine 3853-9
21314 Cotinine 10365-5

Interpretation

Serum nicotine concentration in the range of 30 to 50 ng/mL with cotinine in the range of 200 to 800 ng/mL indicates the subject is either actively using a tobacco product or on nicotine replacement therapy.

 

To discriminate if a patient on nicotine replacement therapy is also actively using a tobacco product, see NICOU / Nicotine and Metabolites, Random, Urine analysis; the presence of anabasine in urine, a tobacco alkaloid not present in nicotine replacement products, indicates recent tobacco use.

 

Typical findings are as follows:

 

While using a tobacco product:

-Peak nicotine concentration: 30 to 50 ng/mL

-Peak cotinine concentration: 200 to 800 ng/mL*

*Higher values may be seen in subjects with high cytochrome P450 2D6 activity

 

Tobacco user after 2 weeks complete abstinence:

-Nicotine concentration: <3.0 ng/mL

-Cotinine concentration: <3.0 ng/mL

 

Nontobacco user with passive exposure:

-Nicotine concentration: <3.0 ng/mL

-Cotinine concentration: <8.0 ng/mL

 

Nontobacco user with no passive exposure:

-Nicotine concentration: <3.0 ng/mL

-Cotinine concentration: <3.0 ng/mL

Report Available

2 to 4 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.