Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (plasma or serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 7–8 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Monitor statin side effects — detect CoQ10 depletion linked to muscle symptoms
- Support heart health — assess antioxidant status crucial for cardiovascular function
- Optimize supplementation — verify your CoQ10 therapy is working effectively
- Convenient testing — no prescription needed; order online and test locally
- Fast, private results — results delivered to secure online account in 7-8 days
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals taking statin medications for cholesterol management
- People with heart failure or other cardiovascular conditions
- Those diagnosed with mitochondrial or neurodegenerative disorders
- Athletes seeking to optimize antioxidant and energy metabolism
- Anyone experiencing unexplained fatigue or muscle weakness
- Individuals considering or currently taking CoQ10 supplements
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — Select your test and complete your purchase through our secure platform
- Visit a lab — Get your blood drawn at a convenient local collection site near you
- Receive results — Access your confidential results within 7-8 business days in your online account.
FAQ
What does this test measure? It measures blood levels of Coenzyme Q10, an essential antioxidant that supports cellular energy production and protects against oxidative damage.
Should I stop my CoQ10 supplement before testing? Yes, avoid taking CoQ10 supplements on the morning of your test to ensure accurate baseline results.
Can this test help if I'm on statins? Absolutely—statins can reduce CoQ10 levels in 30–70% of patients, and this test helps identify deficiency contributing to muscle symptoms.
How quickly will I get my results? Results are typically available within 4–6 business days after your sample reaches the laboratory.
Do I need a doctor's order? No prescription is required—simply order online and visit any participating lab location.
What if my levels are low? Consult your healthcare provider to discuss supplementation options and any underlying conditions that may need treatment.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Coenzyme Q10 Blood Test measures CoQ10 concentrations in your blood using advanced techniques like liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). CoQ10 is a fat-soluble antioxidant critical for producing cellular energy and protecting cells from oxidative stress (Linus Pauling Institute 2025).
This test helps detect CoQ10 deficiency, which can occur due to medications (especially statins), aging, genetic conditions, or chronic diseases. Low CoQ10 levels may contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction, muscle weakness, fatigue, and impaired mitochondrial function. By measuring both ubiquinone and ubiquinol forms, the test provides comprehensive insight into your antioxidant status and energy metabolism (Mayo Clinic Laboratories 2025).
Healthcare providers use these results to guide supplementation decisions, monitor treatment effectiveness, and assess risk factors for heart disease and neurodegenerative conditions.
Who would benefit from this test?
Several groups can benefit significantly from CoQ10 testing:
- Statin users: Cholesterol-lowering statins deplete CoQ10 in 30–70% of patients, potentially causing muscle pain and weakness (Quest Diagnostics 2025). Testing helps identify deficiency and guide supplementation.
- Cardiovascular patients: People with heart failure, high blood pressure, or coronary artery disease benefit from monitoring CoQ10, as deficiency worsens outcomes. Supplementation may reduce mortality risk by up to 40% in heart failure patients (NCBI 2008).
- Mitochondrial disorder patients: CoQ10 is essential for mitochondrial energy production. Testing helps manage genetic mitochondrial diseases and related energy metabolism dysfunction.
- Neurodegenerative disease patients: Individuals with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or other neurological conditions may have reduced CoQ10 levels affecting brain function (StatPearls 2024).
- Athletes and fitness enthusiasts: Those seeking to optimize antioxidant status and cellular energy for peak performance.
- Fertility patients: CoQ10 influences reproductive health, and testing can guide fertility treatment strategies.
When should I order a Coenzyme Q10 Blood Test?
Consider ordering this test if you experience:
- Unexplained fatigue or low energy: Persistent tiredness despite adequate rest may indicate CoQ10 deficiency affecting cellular energy production.
- Muscle pain or weakness: Especially relevant if you're taking statin medications, as CoQ10 depletion commonly causes muscle symptoms.
- Heart-related symptoms: Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or diagnosed cardiovascular conditions warrant CoQ10 assessment.
- Starting statin therapy: Baseline testing before beginning statins establishes your natural CoQ10 levels for future comparison.
- Monitoring supplementation: If you're taking CoQ10 supplements, periodic testing confirms absorption and therapeutic effectiveness.
- Preventive cardiovascular screening: Proactive testing as part of comprehensive heart health assessment, particularly if you have risk factors.
- Neurological symptoms: Memory issues, tremors, or coordination problems associated with neurodegenerative conditions may warrant CoQ10 evaluation.
How do I interpret the results?
CoQ10 > 0.35 µg/mL
- Meaning: Sufficient/Normal
- Action: Maintain current diet and supplement regimen
CoQ10 0.20–0.35 µg/mL
- Meaning: Low/Borderline
- Action: Consider supplementation; discuss with provider
CoQ10 < 0.20 µg/mL
- Meaning: Deficient
- Action: Medical evaluation and supplementation recommended
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
- No fasting required: You can eat and drink normally before this test.
- Supplement timing: Avoid taking CoQ10 supplements on the morning of your blood draw to prevent artificially elevated results. This ensures accurate measurement of your body's natural CoQ10 status.
- Continue medications: Take all prescribed medications as usual unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise. Statins and other medications should not be discontinued before testing.
- Other supplements: Most vitamins and supplements do not interfere with CoQ10 testing and can be continued normally.
- Hydration: Drink adequate water before your appointment to facilitate blood collection.
No special preparation is needed beyond avoiding CoQ10 supplements immediately before testing. The blood draw is quick and performed at your chosen lab location or via at-home collection service.
How often should I get tested?
Starting CoQ10 supplementation: Retest after 3 months to assess response
On statin therapy: Every 6–12 months or if symptoms develop
Managing heart failure: Every 3–6 months per provider guidance
Mitochondrial disorders: Every 6 months or per specialist recommendation
Preventive/wellness screening: Annually or as part of cardiovascular assessment
Testing frequency depends on your specific health circumstances, treatment plan, and response to supplementation. Work with your healthcare provider to establish an appropriate monitoring schedule based on your individual needs and risk factors.
Why early detection matters
Early identification of CoQ10 deficiency enables timely intervention before serious complications develop. For cardiovascular patients, addressing low CoQ10 levels may improve heart function and reduce mortality risk—studies show up to 40% reduction in heart failure mortality with appropriate supplementation (NCBI 2008).
In neurodegenerative diseases, early CoQ10 supplementation may slow disease progression and improve mitochondrial function, potentially preserving cognitive and motor abilities (StatPearls 2024).
For statin users, detecting CoQ10 depletion early helps prevent or resolve muscle symptoms that often lead to medication discontinuation. Since statins reduce CoQ10 in 30–70% of patients, proactive monitoring supports both cardiovascular treatment adherence and quality of life (Quest Diagnostics 2025).
Testing also empowers you to optimize supplementation, ensuring therapeutic doses are achieved and maintained for maximum benefit to cellular energy production and antioxidant protection.
Related tests you may consider
Lipid Panel — Assesses cholesterol and triglyceride levels to evaluate cardiovascular risk alongside CoQ10 status, especially important for statin users.
Vitamin D Test — Measures another essential nutrient for immune function and overall health, complementing antioxidant assessment.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel — Evaluates kidney function, electrolytes, and glucose, providing broader metabolic context for energy-related symptoms.
