ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Nicotine and Metabolites, Serum or Plasma : 0092361

Mnemonic: NICOTINESP

Methodology: Quantitative Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 1-4 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Plain red, green (sodium heparin), lavender (EDTA), pink (K2EDTA), or SST.

Specimen Preparation: Separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 4 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 1 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions: Plasma or whole blood collected in lt. blue (sodium citrate). Specimens exposed to repeated freeze/thaw cycles.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): 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: Drugs covered: nicotine, cotinine, 3-OH-cotinine.

Positive cutoff: 2 ng/mL

The absence of expected drug(s) and/or drug metabolite(s) may indicate non-compliance, inappropriate timing of specimen collection relative to drug administration, poor drug absorption, or limitations of testing. The concentration value must be greater than or equal to the cutoff to be reported as positive. Interpretive questions should be directed to the laboratory.

For medical purposes only; not valid for forensic use.

See Compliance Statement B: www.aruplab.com/CS
CPT Code(s): 83887
Cross References: 3-Hydroxycotinine (Nicotine & Metabolites, Serum or Plasma), Cotinine (Nicotine & Metabolites, Serum or Plasma), Nicotine (Nicotine & Metabolites, Serum or Plasma), Nicotine and Cotinine, LC/MS/MS, Serum/Plasma (Nicotine & Metabolites, Serum or Plasma), Pain Management (Nicotine & Metabolites, Serum or Plasma)