Home Test for Nicotine Blood Levels ???

[Kate51]

Originally Posted by bearscreek

These results are looking great, and I can't wait to see JoAnna's results. Kate, does the info from the test have an estimation of what to expect for the average smoker (sorry if you've already mentioned this)? In other words, I might have expected the middle range of the test to show up for an average smoker. Is this test designed for parents to test their kids or what? If so, maybe it's designed for teenage occasional smoking habits (probably not as much as an adult with "permission" to smoke).

Yes, it is for parents, any smoker, snus user, for anyone trying to cut back on smoking, using patches, (any source of nicotine, even passive nicotine exposure to bartenders, waiters, etc.) kids who are not supposed to "use", insurance or other medical verification of abstinence, etc. This isn't just a negative/positive kind of test, it tells your cotinine (nicotine by-product) level in urine.
My only problem with this test is that for high levels of nicotine the top end really isn't high enough. A person who smokes 36mg/ml liquid or above, would probably top out the test. That would almost make this test moot, because you don't know the level of cotinine. You would have to do a more expensive type of testing with a lab for results like that, or perhaps would work with a lower density of juice for quite a few days and then make a mathematical adjustment to the higher density, but I would not be qualified to opine on that. A person smoking 2-3 or more packs of cigarettes a day would have a urine cotinine level of from 1000-to as much as 8000ng/ml. TobacAlert doesn't measure that high. The thousand ng/ml cotinine level would be equivalent of about 20 cigarettes per day, as I understand it, depending on the nicotine content of your brand.
I have written to Nymox for more clarification on the high levels, but have not heard anything back If I do I will post it!

[bearscreek]

Yeah, that's what I was worried about. I don't know for sure if you can call it a linear relationship with the higher amounts. In other words, I don't know if someone vaping twice as much as you would be twice the amount on the scale (if it even went that high). If you are a 4, would they be an 8? Would you be an 8 if you vaped twice as much? No way to know.

[Tom09]

Wow, this turned out to be a great idea and highy informative thread. Thanks to you splendid contributors! With all provisos that have to come with single tests and “kitchen science” (and within range-limitation of the test kit), I really think this is getting to something.

I can only agree with Kate51, that the individual test results appear to be in accordance with what has been reported from the Ruyan team. So, different method and a first independent confirmation that vaping does deliver significantly less nicotine to the user (order-of-magnitude 1/10; whatever this value will be exactly, depending on individually different habits).

Kate51 did you find a general graph that could be referenced for the correlation of cigarette consume and urinary cotinine levels? Maybe you have written it already, Minimike, Kate, but what do vape by volume (ml/day)?

Will be interesting to see how this continues. JoAnna1010, not to provide you the excuse for extended cigarette smoking :-), but a reminder on the cotinine half life. Good luck.

[Minimike]

I vape somewhere in the 5 ml range of 36mg juice/day. I smoked 3 packs of Camel lights 100s (now called 99s.)

I would assume maxing it out is the correct response to my results. How much over is the max reading, I don't know. I have another test on my computer desk. MAYBE, I can cut my juice and try to vape less for 3-4 days and see if the reading will come back on the scale of the test strip.

I do know that my cough has decreased tremendously. Said cough is rare but different now. I get some mucus now, didn't when I was smoking. The "blob" is clear colored but contains many small black specks. I hope this is tar and residue being washed off my lung surfaces and not tiny blood clots.

[Kate51]

Tom09,

Kate51 did you find a general graph that could be referenced for the correlation of cigarette consume and urinary cotinine levels? Maybe you have written it already, Minimike, Kate, but what do vape by volume (ml/day)?

Tom, no I did not, but did find references to readings that were as high as 1000ng/ml to 8000ng/ml for mutiple-pack smokers. But my searches all referenced cotinine levels in urine. I'm sure there are many tests done with mass spectrometry, etc., that would show levels that would scare us, but again I'm not trained in reading scientific reports, most are available for a (high) fee.
I know that many studies were done by Big Tobacco, and through Federal Hearings much may be available, but my information summarily limited by the only test for cotinine urine available at this date.
There also are many variables in cigarette smoking, brand, nicotine strength, the metabolism of user, how smoke is inhaled, even race of participant, physical condition, etc.

MiniMike's juice is 36mg/ml, mine was 24mg/ml., milliliters consumed daily not noted or even necessary, as cotinine level would be influenced by how much you ingest. If MiniMike took only on hit a day that would be reflected in his test regardless of nic strength. We are both constant (for all purposes) vapers. My use has noticably levelled now, pretty much the same amount every day. But as far as amount used I would have to do a strictly controlled month-long test to be sure, and frequent tests to be able to average the results. This test result if unscientific in all ways, placing much trust in the test itself.

[Kate51]

Originally Posted by Kate51

Good morning all,
My test was eye-opening, and I want everyone to understand this is one test, I wouldn't pound it into the wall to hang my hat on!
BUT,
Since I use 24mg/ml juice, and vape virtually constantly throughout the day (heavier when I'm here!) I was scared to death to do the test!
The Test: is the TobacAlert, the only one I could find that gives the actual level of Cotinine, the by-product of Nicotine absorbtion. Cost $20/shipping. Made by Nymox, sold everywhere.
Worth the cost.
With a possible read level of 1000ng/ml cotinine at level 6, my test was at level 4, or 200-500ng/ml cotinine. According to the few research papers on measuring cotine levels and cigarette smokers, with my heavy habit I would probably have tested around 5000ng/ml cotinine level. As this is NOT my expertise please bear in mind, I will continue to do some more of my own searches to try to verify all I've stated. But to the best of my knowledge, this is accurate to state, and the level reading does stay in perameter with the Ruyan research done by NZ Health., that is to say 10% the level of cigarette smoking is delivered by vaping. If this is the way I understand the testing, I will be most interested to see JoAnna1010's more comprehensive self-study, and Joanna you spent a fortune to do this unless you get a discount!! But your testing will be VERY compelling. However, this test says it doesn't differenciate any source of nicotine, so we'll be interested to see if there is a correlation to Ruyan's testing. There are so many many variables, and this one test won't cover them at all, but I was very happy to see where I'm at with nicotine absorbtion. I would be happier if the test strip would accomodate a higher reading level for vaper's, however, and because as in Minimike's case, is it just maxed out or is that the correct reading.....??Unknown, at this point. I will contact TobacAlert to verify that.
The email address is: sales@nymox.com Attn to Michelle Prillo, sales.
That's exactly what I was afraid I'd see, then I still would have had doubts. Vaping for me actually is as if I cut from 3 packs a day cigarettes to 1 or under per day. Not a BAD THING! And, it doesn't stink!

I am downloading a scan of my test strip, just to show how very faint the correct cotinine reading is, so faint I had to check it over and over to just see if I was seeing things!!
TobacAlert Results July 3.09.jpg

Close up TobacAlert Results July 3.09.jpg

JUST A NOTE: Nymox does have a saliva test also, pricing about the same, and I have been told by the company that saliva levels cotinine would be a better test for HIGH NIC users. The only trouble is, I cannot find any research data to compare HIGH NIC from tobacco cigarettes based on saliva testing for comparisons PV/Cig use. Perhaps someone in this pool of experts can find something pertinent. Thanks! The close-up cuts off the reading level is 200-500ng/ml.

[rejoice]

I have been reading some of this and trying to understand. If I understand right.
The nicotine levels were low?

[Kate51]

Originally Posted by rejoice

I have been reading some of this and trying to understand. If I understand right.
The nicotine levels were low?

My Cotinine level when smoking (2-3 Packs 100mm lights a day!) would be in the 2000-4000+ ng/ml range. My vaping level using 24mg/ml juice is in the 200-500 ng/ml range, I would say I'm doing EXCELLENT!! I am over four months of PV use. Will never go back!! Think of the total of cigarettes, it boggles the mind, and now I feel like I have one again! I feel 100% healthy and clean. And think of the huge amounts of tar, toxic gases and carcinogens avoided. Unreal.
Cotinine is the by-product of nicotine after processing through the system. This is a very high standard of measurement.

[rejoice]

This is very interesting. My husband argues with me that I am getting too much nicotine with my vaping alot. He saids he is worried. He still smokes analogs. See I vape 24mg and I am always vaping. We get into fights over this always vaping.

Please all keep this study going!

[Kate51]

Originally Posted by rejoice

This is very interesting. My husband argues with me that I am getting too much nicotine with my vaping alot. He saids he is worried. He still smokes analogs. See I vape 24mg and I am always vaping. We get into fights over this always vaping.

Please all keep this study going!

Joanna1010 has hers going on right now. And yes, I think it's important to know where we're at for sure. The whole PV thing is to do no harm. I can live with this. I couldn't keep smoking, I was dying! Show him this testing, and put him at ease. It's a lot to understand but should be clear, the difference between smoking and PV. And like you, I'm vaping constantly, and from the test you can see why. But the weird thing is that with the lesser level of nicotine in our systems, we seem to be comfortable with it, I haven't suffered from any panic at all, some do say they do. I'm totally peaceful. Just don't take it away, or I wouldn't let it go without some nasty self-defense moves!!
Everyone heads up to this thread, also..............

NCi ECIG Clinical Trials looking for particapants