Cotinine (Urine) Test

This is a painless test used to detect an individual’s levels of exposure to tobacco and nicotine in the urine. The test samples can be obtained from the urine, blood, saliva and sometimes hair. The various levels of concentration of nicotine relative to the sample determine the seriousness of the individual’s exposure to it and accordingly remedies are decided upon. The test can be conducted qualitatively or quantitatively, referring to detection of the presence or absence of the substance and determining the concentration of the substance respectively.

It’s advisable to stay away from secondary sources of smoke for several days before the test. Also, your physician should be informed of all sorts of medicines, drugs or herbs that you intake, before the test.

Based on the reports and the concentration of nicotine, the test reveals: A positive test report indicates tobacco consumption from a direct or indirect source. Excessive levels of nicotine present is proof of nicotine toxicity. A very high level indicates active usage. A moderate concentration means the user hasn’t been active or exposed to it in three weeks. A lower level may be found in a user exposed to environmental smoke. A much lesser and almost nil amount is found in tobacco non-smokers not exposed to environmental smoke or in tobacco smokers who haven’t been active for several weeks.

You will be required to urinate in a sterilized container and hand over the container to the lab.