Cotinine (Serum)
Private Cotinine serum blood test in London for £124, measuring recent nicotine exposure from smoking, vaping or nicotine replacement products.
Turnaround time
1 business day
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Cotinine (Serum)
The Cotinine (Serum) test measures cotinine in the blood. Cotinine is the principal metabolite produced when the body processes nicotine and is widely used as an objective laboratory marker of recent nicotine exposure.
Nicotine itself has a relatively short half-life. Cotinine remains detectable for longer, which makes it more practical than direct nicotine measurement when assessing exposure over the preceding few days.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Cotinine (Serum).
Cotinine can become detectable following cigarette smoking, vaping with nicotine-containing products, cigars, pipes, nicotine pouches and nicotine replacement products such as patches, gum or lozenges.
Repeated exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke can also produce measurable cotinine, although concentrations are generally substantially lower than those seen with regular active nicotine use.
Importantly, the test identifies nicotine exposure rather than its source. A raised result cannot independently distinguish cigarette smoking from vaping or medically supervised nicotine replacement therapy.
The precise relationship between cotinine concentration and nicotine use varies according to frequency of exposure, metabolism, genetic factors, kidney function and the time elapsed since the last nicotine-containing product was used.
Results should therefore be interpreted according to the laboratory reference criteria and the reason the test was requested.
What Does the Cotinine (Serum) Test Check?
This test measures 1 biomarker.
Cotinine (Serum)
Measures cotinine, the major metabolite of nicotine, providing objective evidence of recent exposure from tobacco, vaping, nicotine replacement products or other nicotine-containing sources.
Who May Benefit from the Cotinine (Serum) Test?
The Cotinine (Serum) test may be useful where an objective measurement of recent nicotine exposure is required.
People monitoring smoking cessation – Cotinine can provide objective evidence of whether nicotine exposure is continuing during a quit-smoking programme.
People who use vaping products – Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes can produce measurable cotinine even when no tobacco is smoked.
People using nicotine replacement therapy – Patches, gum, lozenges and other nicotine replacement products can increase cotinine and should be disclosed when interpreting the result.
People requiring occupational or medical documentation – Serum cotinine may be requested where objective nicotine exposure information is clinically or administratively relevant.
People concerned about repeated passive smoke exposure – Significant environmental tobacco smoke exposure can sometimes produce measurable cotinine.
People with a previous unexpected cotinine result – Repeat testing may help establish whether exposure has changed over time.
People requiring pre-operative nicotine assessment – Some surgical pathways assess nicotine use because smoking and nicotine exposure can influence wound healing and peri-operative risk.
People specifically advised to obtain serum cotinine – The test can be arranged where a clinician or other authorised professional has requested laboratory confirmation of nicotine exposure.
How to Prepare
Cotinine cannot identify whether nicotine came from cigarettes, vaping or nicotine replacement simply from the concentration alone.
If the purpose of testing is formal occupational, insurance, surgical or administrative documentation, follow any preparation instructions supplied by the requesting organisation.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Cotinine (Serum)
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Cotinine (Serum) Cotinine testing is primarily used to document recent nicotine exposure, rather than to investigate a specific symptom pattern. Nicotine exposure itself can, however, be associated with several physical effects, particularly with heavier use or higher doses.
Palpitations or a noticeably faster heartbeat - Nicotine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and can temporarily increase heart rate.
Headaches following nicotine use - Some people experience headaches after smoking, vaping or using other nicotine-containing products.
Dizziness or light-headedness - Higher nicotine exposure can occasionally cause dizziness, particularly in people who are not accustomed to nicotine.
Nausea after smoking, vaping or nicotine products - Nicotine can cause nausea, especially following substantial exposure or use of a stronger product than usual.
Shakiness or tremor - Nicotine stimulation can sometimes produce transient trembling or a jittery sensation.
Unexplained nicotine exposure requiring confirmation - Cotinine testing can provide objective evidence when recent smoking, vaping, passive smoke exposure or nicotine-product use needs to be assessed.
Monitoring after stopping smoking or vaping - Testing can help determine whether nicotine exposure is falling after cessation.
Pre-operative nicotine assessment - Some surgical pathways request cotinine testing because nicotine exposure can affect wound healing and peri-operative risk.
Occupational, insurance or administrative testing - Cotinine may be requested when objective confirmation of nicotine exposure or abstinence is required.
Concern about significant passive smoke exposure - Regular exposure to tobacco smoke in enclosed environments can sometimes produce measurable cotinine.
These symptoms are not specific to nicotine exposure, and a Cotinine (Serum) result should not be used to determine the cause of symptoms by itself.
The test is best regarded as an objective marker of recent nicotine exposure. Significant vomiting, confusion, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, collapse or other symptoms following substantial nicotine exposure require urgent medical assessment.
How to Book Your Cotinine (Serum)
Booking your Cotinine (Serum) test with London Blood Tests is straightforward.
Choose the Cotinine (Serum)
Select the Cotinine (Serum) test online and review the included nicotine-exposure biomarker.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or arrange professional home or hotel phlebotomy depending on location and availability.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional will collect the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum sample is analysed for Cotinine (Serum) using the appropriate laboratory method.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is sent securely and can be reviewed with the clinician or organisation that requested the test.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current expected turnaround time for the Cotinine (Serum) test is approximately 1 business day after the sample arrives at the laboratory.
Laboratory processing, additional quality checks or repeat analysis may occasionally extend reporting.
Turnaround begins when the laboratory receives the specimen rather than necessarily from the time the blood sample is collected.
Understanding Your Results
A very low or undetectable cotinine concentration generally indicates no recent significant nicotine exposure within the detection limits of the assay.
Detectable cotinine indicates that nicotine has entered the body recently.
Higher concentrations are generally associated with greater or more frequent nicotine exposure, although there is substantial overlap between individuals.
Nicotine replacement therapy can produce concentrations comparable with other nicotine-containing products and therefore needs to be considered during interpretation.
Passive exposure can produce detectable concentrations, particularly when exposure is frequent or occurs in enclosed environments.
The detection window is not identical for everyone. Cotinine generally remains measurable for several days after nicotine exposure, but metabolism and frequency of use influence how quickly concentrations fall.
Laboratory-specific reference ranges or decision thresholds should be used rather than applying one universal cut-off to every clinical or administrative situation.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
Private cotinine testing in London – Access targeted serum nicotine-exposure testing without needing to book a broad toxicology panel.
Objective nicotine assessment – Cotinine provides laboratory evidence of recent nicotine exposure rather than relying only on self-reporting.
Relevant to smoking and vaping – The marker detects nicotine exposure from multiple nicotine-containing products.
Fast results – The current expected turnaround is approximately 1 business day after laboratory receipt.
Trusted UK laboratory analysis – Your specimen is processed using professional laboratory methods.
Clinic and home collection options – Flexible professional phlebotomy is available depending on location.
Secure results – Receive your authorised laboratory report securely.
Clear pricing – The Cotinine (Serum) test is priced at £124, with applicable sample collection charges shown separately.
Private Cotinine (Serum) Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides the Cotinine (Serum) blood test in London for people requiring objective assessment of recent nicotine exposure.
The test costs £124 and measures one biomarker: Cotinine (Serum).
Testing may be useful for smoking-cessation monitoring, pre-operative assessment, occupational requirements or other circumstances where nicotine exposure needs to be documented.
Clinic appointments and professional home or hotel phlebotomy are available depending on location and service availability.
The result identifies nicotine exposure but does not independently distinguish cigarettes from vaping, nicotine replacement therapy or other nicotine-containing products.