Nicotine and Cotinine, LC/MS/MS, Serum/Plasma

Message

Spin and transfer serum or plasma into a plastic, screw-capped
vial.

Test Code

NICOS

Alias/See Also

LAB9116

CPT Codes
80323 (HCPCS: G0480)

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)

4mL whole blood in EDTA or dark / royal
blue top tube

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL serum or plasma 2mL whole blood

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top), or (royal blue-top) tube • 4 mL whole blood collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Instructions

Spin and transfer serum or plasma into a plastic, screw-capped vial.

Transport Container

Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

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

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Gross hemolysis • Serum Separator Tube (SST®)

Methodology

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

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. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Mon-Sat evening

Report Available

3 days

Reference Range

Nicotine

Smokers 2-10 ng/mL

Nonsmokers ≤4 ng/mL

Cotinine

Smokers 16-145 ng/mL

Nonsmokers ≤8 ng/mL

Clinical Significance

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.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute 14225 Newbrook Drive Chantilly, VA 20153

Last Updated: February 17, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.