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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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NICOTINE AND EXPANDED METABOLITES, LC/MS/MS, URINE

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB4056    Geisinger Epic ID:  167871

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Urine


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Sterile specimen container
Specimen required: 

1 mL urine; minimum 0.5 mL.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (cold packs).


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature: 72 hours. Refrigerated: 14 days. Frozen: 30 days.


Rejection criteria: 

Stability limits exceeded.



TEST DETAILS
CPT code(s):  80323
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Nicotine, Cotinine, 3-OH-Cotinine, Nornicotine, Norcotinine, Anabasine


Methodology: 
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Synonyms: 

Nicotine, Cotinine, 3-OH-Cotinine, Nornicotine, Anabasine


Clinical significance: 

This assay is used for the detection of nicotine and several metabolites and the related alkaloid anabasine in urine to determine the tobacco exposure status of the individual. Nicotine has a short half-life of approximately sixty minutes; Its presence may indicate recent tobacco exposure. The half-life of the various nicotine metabolites is longer and provides a larger window of detection for tobacco exposure. The presence of anabasine is indicative of tobacco exposure (smoked or smokeless) versus the use of a nicotine replacement patch product. Anabasine is a related alkaloid found only in the tobacco plant. 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.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Randin Nelson MD
Review Date:  08/11/2026

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