What Is a Cotinine Test?

Let’s get right down to the nitty-gritty about what a cotinine test is. Cotinine is a chemical that your body makes when exposed to nicotine. If you have a ‘nicotine test’ coming up, it is most likely actually going to be a cotinine test. Why use a cotinine test instead of a nicotine test? The reason is simple — cotinine stays in your system longer than nicotine. Let’s take a look at some other important details you’ll want to know about cotinine tests.

What Reason Is There To Get a Cotinine Test?

There are multiple reasons why one might be given a cotinine test. The job market today is very competitive, and many employers are now asking employees to complete a nicotine test. Some industries where this is becoming more common include healthcare, transportation companies, and utility services. You might also be tested for cotinine in child custody case matters.

When people enter into smoking or vaping cessation programs, the program may test multiple times throughout the client’s cessation journey and at the completion of the program. Nicotine tests may be required for medical reasons like qualifying for an organ transplant. A cotinine test is what is also often used when applying for health insurance. These are just several of the most common reasons people may receive a cotinine test.

How Is a Cotinine Test Administered?

There are four different ways you might receive a cotinine test. The most common ways test your urine or saliva, but blood and hair can also be tested. As we mentioned earlier, cotinine is made in our bodies when we use tobacco products. It is primarily made when nicotine is broken down by the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Cotinine is a metabolite that remains in our blood, urine, saliva, and hair for a certain amount of time after nicotine use stops.

A cotinine test is what it is commonly called, but you might also hear more specific names such as high-performance liquid chromatography, colorimetric assay, gas chromatography, NicAlert saliva test, and others. There are two different ways these cotinine tests provide results. The test may be qualitative or quantitative. A qualitative test is cut and dry and simply measures whether cotinine is present or not. A quantitative test measures the concentration of cotinine in your body. This can reveal your tobacco use habits, and if you’re an active smoker or have recently quit.

What Is a Cotinine Test Threshold?

A cotinine threshold is what is tested to differentiate between non-smokers and smokers. Cotinine is measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Non-smokers typically have a cotinine level of less than 10 ng/mL. Cotinine levels in someone who has been exposed to secondhand smoke or who is a light smoker can measure from 11 to 30 ng/mL. Cotinine levels in heavy smokers may exceed 500 ng/mL.

What is a typical cotinine test threshold? The most common thresholds found in urine cotinine tests measure up to 200 ng/mL. NicoClean Detox kits contain medical-grade test strips that will measure your cotinine levels up to 200 ng/mL. Once your levels have dropped to 10 ng/mL, you can confidently pass your upcoming nicotine test with flying colors.

How Long Does Cotinine Stay In Your Body?

The length of time cotinine stays in your body can vary based on factors like your age, weight, genetics, frequency of tobacco use, and type of tobacco such as menthol or non-menthol. Cotinine will first metabolize out of your urine and saliva, then your blood. Cotinine stays the longest in your hair.

In general, cotinine will take about three to four days to leave your urine and saliva. It can take up to about ten days to be undetectable in your blood. Cotinine and nicotine may stay present in your hair for 12 months or more. A cotinine test is what is more commonly used over nicotine tests because nicotine leaves your blood, urine, and saliva in about one to three days.

Breathing in second-hand menthol smoke or using menthol tobacco products can lengthen the time that cotinine stays in your body.

Getting Clean Faster

What is a great way to pass a cotinine test? Well, the best way is to stop using tobacco products well before your scheduled test. However, we all know that tobacco products are addictive, and it’s not always easy for tobacco users to quit cold turkey. Luckily, there are ways you can speed up the process of metabolizing cotinine. A nicotine detox is a mixture of natural supplements that help your body produce more of the enzymes that break down cotinine and other substances found in tobacco. Combining a nicotine detox with plenty of water is an excellent way to flush out toxins.

How Does NicoClean Detox Work?

NicoClean Detox is a pharmacist-developed nicotine detox made from five natural supplements. Vitamin C, L-methionine, horsetail, cranberry fruit extract, and St. John’s Wort are the key ingredients that speed up your metabolism. This combination of vitamins and antioxidants gives your liver and kidneys a boost to break down toxins, while increased urine output helps remove cotinine from your body faster.

The NicoClean Detox kit includes vegan and organic supplements as well as detailed instructions and three cotinine tests. What is a good way to get started detoxing? View the NicoClean Detox information page to order and learn more about how it can help you detox two times faster than other nicotine detoxes on the market. Because this kit contains cotinine tests, you will easily be able to tell if you will pass your test when the testing day arrives.

NicoClean Detox supplements are made in the USA in FDA-approved facilities. NicoClean Detox isn’t just a cover-up product, it’s a permanent cleanse that will improve your health and help you detox fast. With free 2-3 day shipping or paid next-day shipping, you can get your nicotine detox started quickly. Visit our FAQs page to learn more about our detox kits and how they help remove cotinine from your system.