Nicotine and Cotinine, Serum/Plasma

Test Code

90642

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) 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 (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

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

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 3-4 days

Reference Range

Nicotine, Serum/Plasma

Smoker	2-10 ng/mL
Nonsmoker	≤4 ng/mL

Cotinine, Serum/Plasma

Smoker	16-145 ng/mL
Nonsmoker	≤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

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.