Coenzyme Q10 blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), also called ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble compound found in almost every cell. It plays a central role in the mitochondria, where it helps turn food into usable energy, and it also acts as an antioxidant. The body makes most of its own CoQ10, with smaller amounts coming from oily fish, meat, nuts and whole grains. Organs with high energy demands, such as the heart, muscles and liver, contain the most.

Levels naturally fall with age. Statins, which lower cholesterol, also reduce the body's own CoQ10 production, which has led to interest in whether low levels contribute to muscle aches some people experience on statins, though the evidence is mixed. Rare inherited conditions can cause primary CoQ10 deficiency. Because CoQ10 travels in the blood with cholesterol, results are often read alongside your lipid levels.

The price includes the blood sample at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You take a statin and have muscle aches or tiredness you would like to explore.
• You take CoQ10 supplements and want to see whether your level has changed.
• You have ongoing low energy and your practitioner wants to look beyond routine tests.
• You are older and interested in your baseline level.
• Your specialist has asked for CoQ10 as part of an investigation.

Understanding your result

Your report shows the laboratory reference range. A low level may reflect age, statin use, a low intake or, rarely, an inherited problem with CoQ10 production. A higher level is usually due to supplements or higher cholesterol, since the two travel together. Blood levels do not always mirror what is happening inside muscle tissue, so the result is one part of the picture.

If you have muscle pain on a statin, please speak to your GP before stopping or changing it, as statins protect against heart attack and stroke. A result outside the range is a prompt for discussion, not a diagnosis.

Preparing for your test

Fasting for 8 to 12 hours, drinking only water, is recommended, because CoQ10 travels with fats and a recent meal can raise the reading. If you take CoQ10 supplements, let us know your dose and when you last took it so we can interpret the result accurately.

Because CoQ10 is closely linked to cholesterol, our cholesterol tests make a sensible pairing, and Tired All The Time looks at common causes of low energy. See every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a coenzyme Q10 test in Chiswick?

The Coenzyme Q10 test costs £299 at Omnia Lifestyle in Chiswick. It covers the blood sample, accredited laboratory analysis, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report if requested.

Do statins lower CoQ10?

Yes, statins reduce the body's own CoQ10 production. Whether this causes symptoms, and whether supplements help, is still debated, so discuss any concerns with your GP.

Do I need to fast?

Yes. A fast of 8 to 12 hours gives a more reliable reading because CoQ10 is carried with fats in the blood.

Can this test show whether supplements are working?

It can show whether your blood level has risen, which helps confirm you are absorbing the supplement. It cannot measure how you feel or prove a benefit.