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Smoking Cessation Patient Info
Smoking Cessation What to Expect
Common Tests or Labs to Determine Extent of Damage Caused by Smoking
There are several diagnostic tests to determine if someone is a smoker and the extent to which smoking is done. These are usually requested by insurance companies to determine your health risk and life expectancy.
For detection of nicotine byproducts
A urine sample is collected for analysis.
Cotinine (nicotine byproduct) is best detected via the urine; can be detected for 2–4 days.
For detection of nicotine in the blood
After a tourniquet is applied to the upper arm, the puncture site of skin is swabbed with alcohol pads and a needle punctures the skin. Blood is then drawn into a syringe for analysis.
Nicotine can be detected for 72 hours.
Nicotine byproducts can be detected for 3 weeks.
For the detection of nicotine in the hair follicle
A hair sample is collected and sent for analysis.
Nicotine can be detected in the hair follicle for 30–90 days.
For the detection of nicotine in the saliva
A saliva sample is collected using a cotton swab and sent for analysis.
Nicotine can be detected in saliva for 2–3 days.
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