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Nicotine and Cotinine, Serum/Plasma
Test Code90642
CPT Codes
80323 (HCPCS: G0480)
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL serum or plasma • 2 mL whole blood
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube or EDTA (royal blue-top) tube • Whole blood (4 mL) collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)
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
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
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
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
Sets up 3 days a week.
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.