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Question: I was smoke free for 12 months. I'm having surgery on 1/6. I had about 6 cigarettes on 1/1. I'm not sure if they did the cotinine blood work at my previous op appt or they are doing it via blood or urine the day of my surgery. My question was do you think my levels will be close to negative on 1/6.
Brief Answer:
Won't be negative, it can take up to 2 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar,
After going through your query I concluded that your cotinine level is unlikely to be close to negative on 1/6 but will be only mild positive.When someone stops using tobacco and nicotine products, it can take more than two weeks for the blood level of cotinine to drop to the level that a non-tobacco user would have and several weeks more for the urine. However it is likely to vary from one person to another depending on its metabolism which may differ from from person to person.
But these tests are not done on preoperative or operation day(surgery day) routinely as per my knowledge.
You can discuss with your treating Doctor about it.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wishing you good health.
Take care.
Won't be negative, it can take up to 2 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
I'm Dr. Sudhir Kumar,
After going through your query I concluded that your cotinine level is unlikely to be close to negative on 1/6 but will be only mild positive.When someone stops using tobacco and nicotine products, it can take more than two weeks for the blood level of cotinine to drop to the level that a non-tobacco user would have and several weeks more for the urine. However it is likely to vary from one person to another depending on its metabolism which may differ from from person to person.
But these tests are not done on preoperative or operation day(surgery day) routinely as per my knowledge.
You can discuss with your treating Doctor about it.
Hope I have answered your query.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wishing you good health.
Take care.
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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