A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Nicotine and Expanded Metabolites, LC/MS/MS
Test Code90983
CPT Codes
80323
Includes
Nicotine, Cotinine, 3-OH-Cotinine
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no-gel)
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma or whole blood collected in: EDTA (royal blue-top) tube or EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Instructions
Serum and EDTA plasma: Spin and transfer serum or plasma into a plastic, screw-capped vial.
Transport Container
Transport 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
Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 3 days
Reference Range
Non-Smoker (ng/mL) | Active Tobacco User (ng/mL) | |
Nicotine | ≤4 | 2-10 |
Cotinine | ≤8 | 16-145 |
3-OH-Cotinine | <2 | 100-500 |
Clinical Significance
This assay is used for the detection of nicotine and two primary metabolites, 3-OH cotinine and cotinine in serum and plasma to determine the tobacco exposure status of an individual. Nicotine has a short half-life of approximately sixty minutes; Its presence may indicate recent tobacco exposure. The half-life of the primary metabolites is longer and provides a larger window of detection for tobacco exposure. Individuals exposed to passive tobacco smoke (environmental or second-hand) can have detectable concentrations of nicotine and its metabolites depending on the type of exposure. The ranges of concentrations related to passive exposure are not well established but normally are less than those attributed to active tobacco users.
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute |
14225 Newbrook Drive |
Chantilly, VA 20153 |