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What is a Cotinine test?
This Better2Know Cotinine test will measure how much tobacco smoke you have been exposed to or how much nicotine you have taken if you are on nicotine replacement therapy. Cotinine is a metabolite of nicotine, a material left over after your body has processed the nicotine you have ingested. Cotinine is therefore a good indicator of whether you have been smoking or taking nicotine and will also tell you how long ago you were last exposed to nicotine. Cotinine will stay in the body for up to around 20 hours after exposure to nicotine, whereas nicotine itself will only be detectable for two to three hours after ingestion. This test requires a blood sample that will be taken by a doctor or nurse from your arm.
Why do I need a Cotinine test?
Cotinine testing is often requested by insurance companies who want to check if you smoke and if so, how much. It is often ordered along with other blood tests to measure and monitor your health so that a more accurate risk assessment can be established before insurance policies are issued.
How can a Cotinine test help me protect my health?
A Cotinine test is also very useful if you work or live in an environment where tobacco smoke is present. Second hand tobacco smoke can be very damaging to your health so knowing if you are breathing in substantial amounts of other peoples’ cigarette smoke is an important part of taking care of your own health. Interestingly, the amount of Cotinine detected in smokers and people exposed to second hand smoke can vary across racial groups, so understanding this is crucial to assessing what level of risk you are exposed to. Better2Know will help you interpret your test results and give you the advice you need to help keep you safe from second hand smoke.
How do I book a Cotinine test?
To book your Better2Know Cotinine test, please click Get Started or call us on the number above. Our friendly and highly trained advisors will be happy to help you choose the test that is right for you.