Coenzyme Q10, Total

What is Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)?

A coenzyme's role in the human body is to help enzymes in performing their work by accelerating necessary chemical reactions.

CoQ10 is the most common form of ubiquinone, a group of coenzymes that is found in all animals. The number "10" comes from the number of isoprenyl chemical subunits it contains. Although it is not a vitamin because it cannot be made by the body, CoQ10 looks and acts like a vitamin. Supplements may be recommended if the test results show a deficiency of the molecule.

What Health Benefits Does Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Provide?

CoQ10 has been shown to:

• Improve glycemic control (blood sugar management) in both diabetics and non-diabetics
• Protect against heart disease
• Improve lung function
• Prevent headaches
• Aid in the prevention of cancer
• Reduce harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and raise good cholesterol (HDL) levels
• Maintain a youthful appearance in the skin

CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant. As such, it reduces the amount of oxidative stress placed on tissues throughout the body – making it a potential anti-aging supplement.

Critically, one 2017 study of CoQ10 administered to patients with heart failure found that their death rate went down substantially and their cardiovascular capacity (stamina) went up when they were given the supplement.

Who Should Get a Coenzyme10 (CoQ10) Blood Test?

A simple blood test can provide an accurate measurement of plasma Coenzyme Q10 concentrations. There may be several reasons that someone might measure CoQ10 levels with a lab test. You may consider ordering a CoQ10 blood test if you are:

• Suffering from chronic health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, or kidney disease
• Experiencing low energy levels
• Concerned about cholesterol levels
• Interested in anti-aging medicine
• Attempting to improve cardiovascular performance

Who Might Benefit From Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Supplementation?

Anyone with a CoQ10 deficiency might benefit from supplementation.

CoQ10 supplements come in several redox forms (with varying levels of oxidation), including:

• Ubiquinone (fully oxidized)
• Semiquinone (partially reduced)
• Ubiquinol (fully reduced)

Electron-rich ubiquinol is most often used to elevate CoQ10 levels. Many nutritional supplements contain CoQ10 as one of several ingredients.

CoQ10 May Help Treat Numerous Health Conditions

Although CoQ10 has not been approved for therapeutic use by the FDA, it is widely used to treat an array of conditions, including:

• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Migraine headaches
• Neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease
• Statin-induced myopathy (chronic pain caused by statin therapy)
• High cholesterol

There is some evidence that CoQ10 may promote good dental health in individuals with dental disease, but more research is needed.

Because of CoQ10's beneficial effects on cardiovascular function, many athletes attempt to optimize their levels of CoQ10 to boost performance.

Individuals interested in general wellness might also consider supplementation. Health care and maintenance protocols often call for daily CoQ10 supplementation.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Levels Decline With Age

Falling Coenzyme Q10 levels are often seen in the elderly, whose bodies produce less of the molecule. Because of the proven link between higher CoQ10 levels and better cognitive function, as well as the protective activities of CoQ10 on the heart, it's important for seniors to ensure through routine blood tests that they have enough CoQ10 in their blood.

Alzheimer and Parkinson patients are particularly vulnerable groups that should receive regular CoQ10 blood testing.

Some Medications May Lower CoQ10 Levels

Certain medications may lower CoQ10 levels as detected through a blood test. These might include:

• Statins
• Beta-blockers
• Fibric acid derivatives
• Tricyclic antidepressant medications

Are There Side Effects to CoQ10 Supplementation?

Because CoQ10 is a naturally occurring molecule, supplements are usually tolerated well by the vast majority of people who take them. However, some side effects have been reported following CoQ10 supplementation, including:

• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Vomiting

Where Can I Get A Coq10 Blood Test Near Me?

Please use our Lab Locator to find a convenient testing location nearby. The CoQ10 blood test is used for informational purposes by following. A liquid chromatography is considered the "gold standard" test in CoQ10 lab work. This test will measure your blood levels of CoQ10. If you do not wish to visit a lab, we offer several options for at-home testing with home chemistry kits. We will supply the CPT code to the lab as needed.

Sources

"Coenzyme Q10: The essential nutrient." Journal of Pharmacy and BioAllied Sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3178961/
"Coenzyme Q10: a therapy for hypertension and statin-induced myalgia?" Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/45092725_Coenzyme_Q10_A_therapy...
"Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in patients with cardiac failure: a meta-analysis of clinical trials". BMC Cardiovascular Disorders https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5525208/
"Effectiveness of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." International Journal of Endocrinology https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165589/
"The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on lipid profiles among patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Lipids in Health and Disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30296936/
"Determination of Coenzyme Q10 Content in Raw Materials and Dietary Supplements by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-UV: Collaborative Study." Journal of AOAC International. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2586118/

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Oct 05, 2020