ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Nicotine & Metabolites, Serum or Plasma : 0092361

Mnemonic: NICOTINESP

Methodology: Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 1-4 days
Specimen Required: Collect:  One 7 mL plain red, lavender (EDTA), or pink (K2EDTA).

Transport:  4 mL serum or plasma at 20-25°C.  (Min: 2.5 mL)  Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube.

Unacceptable Conditions:  Samples exposed to repeated freeze/thaw cycles. Serum separator tubes and plasma/whole blood from lt. blue tubes (sodium citrate).

Stability:  After separation from cells: Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 3 years
Reference Interval:
 
Reference Ranges
Clinical Chemistry 48:9 1460-1471, 2002
 Unexposed non-tobacco user Passive exposure Abstinent user for more than 2 weeks Active tobacco product use
Nicotine Less than 2 ng/mL Less than 2 ng/mL Less than 2 ng/mL 30-50 ng/mL
Cotinine Less than 2 ng/mL Less than 8 ng/mL Less than 2 ng/mL 200-800 ng/mL
3-OH-Cotinine Less than 2 ng/mL Less than 2 ng/mL Less than 2 ng/mL 100-500 ng/mL

Interpretive Data: Compounds covered: nicotine, cotinine, 3-OH-cotinine.
Positive cutoff:
2 ng/mL
For medical purposes only; not valid for forensic use.
CPT Code(s): 83887
 
 

 

 

 
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