A nicotine blood test detects recent tobacco use, but its reliability is limited as nicotine only stays in the bloodstream for a short time. Insurance companies may require the test before approving coverage, while parents can use it to check if their children are using tobacco. The test is most accurate when conducted on hair samples.
A nicotine blood test is a blood test to determine whether a person has recently used a tobacco product. The test requires only a small amount of blood. While false positives rarely occur, the test has its flaws, as the nicotine only stays in the bloodstream for a short time. Some insurance companies require a blood test for nicotine before approving coverage. The test is also useful for parents who suspect their children are using tobacco.
After a person smokes or chews tobacco, the liver rapidly metabolizes the nicotine absorbed from the bloodstream. If a person smokes a cigarette, within two hours the amount of nicotine in the blood is halved through the action of the liver. For a light smoker, nicotine is undetectable in the blood after three days without using tobacco. For heavier users, the process takes five to ten days. The rate at which the body removes nicotine makes the nicotine blood test valid for determining only the presence of nicotine and not the amount the person originally had in their system.
Because a nicotine blood test is reliable in determining whether or not a person uses tobacco products, some insurance companies have made testing mandatory. A positive result means that the tobacco user will not receive coverage or will receive coverage with a higher monthly premium. With millions of people around the world dying each year from tobacco-related diseases, a blood test helps insurance companies protect themselves. Even so, it is relatively easy for a smoker to hide his or her consumption by abstaining from tobacco while purchasing insurance.
Parents also use nicotine blood testing to check if their children are using tobacco products. To make sure your child doesn’t know about the test beforehand, blood is drawn during a routine visit to the pediatrician. Parents can also opt for other less invasive forms of testing such as saliva, urine or hair. The latter is the most accurate of all the nicotine tests, as the nicotine remains in the hair until the person cuts it. Parents seeking to stop their child’s tobacco use should consult their child’s pediatrician for advice and guidance.
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