Test Code NICOU Nicotine and Metabolites, Random, Urine
Additional Codes
CNE Order Code: Nicotine, Urine
Reporting Name
Nicotine and Metabolites, UUseful For
Monitoring tobacco use
Monitoring patients on nicotine-replacement therapy for concurrent use of tobacco products
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
UrineSpecimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Container/Tube: Plastic urine container
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL tube
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect a random urine specimen.
2. No preservative.
Specimen Minimum Volume
2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days |
| Frozen | 365 days | |
| Ambient | 28 days |
Reference Values
Non-tobacco user with no passive exposure:
Nicotine <5.0 ng/mL
Cotinine
<5.0 ng/mL
Anabasine
<2.0 ng/mL
Nornicotine
<2.0 ng/mL
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
CPT Code Information
G0480
80323 (if appropriate for select payers)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| NICOU | Nicotine and Metabolites, U | 43125-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 82510 | Nicotine | 3854-7 |
| 21321 | Cotinine | 10366-3 |
| 21324 | Nornicotine | 33917-6 |
| 21323 | Anabasine | 33915-0 |
Interpretation
Urine nicotine in the range of 1000 to 5000 ng/mL with cotinine in the range of 1000 to 8000 ng/mL indicates the subject is either actively using a tobacco product or on high-dose nicotine patch therapy.
The presence of anabasine and nornicotine indicates a subject on patch therapy who is actively using a tobacco product.
Typical findings are as follows:
While using a tobacco product:
-Peak nicotine concentration: 1000 to 5000 ng/mL
-Peak cotinine concentration: 1000 to 8000 ng/mL
-Anabasine concentration: 10 to 500 ng/mL
-Nornicotine concentration: 30 to 900 ng/mL
Tobacco user after 2 weeks complete abstinence:
-Nicotine concentration: <30 ng/mL
-Cotinine concentration: <50 ng/mL
-Anabasine concentration: <2.0 ng/mL
-Nornicotine concentration: <2.0 ng/mL
Nontobacco user with passive exposure:
-Nicotine concentration: <20 ng/mL
-Cotinine concentration: <20 ng/mL
-Anabasine concentration: <2.0 ng/mL
-Nornicotine concentration: <2.0 ng/mL
Nontobacco user with no passive exposure:
-Nicotine concentration: <5.0 ng/mL
-Cotinine concentration: <5.0 ng/mL
-Anabasine concentration: <2.0 ng/mL
-Nornicotine concentration: <2.0 ng/mL
Report Available
2 to 5 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | 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.