Laboratory Services

Nicotine and Metabolites, Random, Urine

Print this page

Updated Test Information:

Test Description
Nicotine and Metabolites, Random, Urine
Synonym(s)

Anabasine, Cotinine, Nornicotine, Tobacco Alkaloids

Test ID
NICOU
General Information

Useful for: 


Monitoring tobacco use
Monitoring patients on nicotine-replacement therapy for concurrent use of tobacco products

Specimen Type

Urine

Specimen Requirements

Plastic, 5 mL, aliquot tube

Specimen Collection / Processing Instructions

1. Collect a random 3 mL urine specimen.
2. No preservative.

Minimum Sample Volume

2 mL

Stability

Ambient (preferred): 28 days
Frozen: 365 days
Refrigerated: 28 days

Methodology

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

CPT Code(s)

80323
G0480 (if appropriate)

Reference Range

Non-tobacco user with no passive exposure:

NICOTINE
<5.0 ng/mL 

COTININE
<5.0 ng/mL 

ANABASINE
<2.0 ng/mL 

NORNICOTINE
<2.0 ng/mL

Performing Lab

Mayo Clinic