Blood test to tell if you have smoked? - Smoking Cessation Message Board

tamitrue · 09-11-2002, 09:40 PM

I am having surgery in a few weeks and they said that if I had nicotine in my system, they would not do the surgery. My question is: How long does nicotine stay in your system? I haven't smoked since Sunday, 9/8, but my Dr. says she wants me to be smoke free for at least 8 weeks. Is there really some kind of a test that can prove that you have or haven't smoked in the last 8 weeks? Let me know if anyone knows anything about this.

Thanks,

Tammy

Carla Sue · 09-12-2002, 04:03 PM

I have heard that before with some transplant surgerys, and heart surgerys they wont give donor implant or operate if nicotine in system.
I dont know if there is a new test, but I beleive nicotine can be detected by a simple blood test.
Good luck on your surgery and staying a nonsmoker.
:-)
Carla Sue

[This message has been edited by Carla Sue (edited 09-12-2002).]

bird123 · 09-12-2002, 09:35 PM

I am not sure if it possible to detect nicotine in blood, but it can be detected in the oral epithelium for many weeks after exposure. This test is used by insurance companies to distinguish between smokers and non-smokers for appropriate life insurance rates.