Quantitative measurement of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) from a dried blood spot. Performed by LC-MS/MS for assessment of mitochondrial function and antioxidant capacity.
Ubiquinone (CoQ10)
3–5 working days
This method quantifies coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) from a dried blood spot. CoQ10 is an essential component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and a potent endogenous antioxidant. Its measurement is important in evaluating mitochondrial function, statin-related myopathy risk, and supplementation efficacy.
Clinical indications include:
Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone-10) is a lipid-soluble benzoquinone that is synthesised endogenously via the mevalonate pathway — the same biosynthetic route used for cholesterol production. It is present in virtually all human cells, with the highest concentrations found in organs with high metabolic demand: the heart, liver, kidneys, and skeletal muscle.
Essential for both mitochondrial ATP production and lipid antioxidant defence
Statins inhibit the mevalonate pathway, reducing endogenous CoQ10 synthesis by up to 40%
Tissue CoQ10 levels peak around age 20 and decline progressively thereafter
In the mitochondrial electron transport chain, CoQ10 shuttles electrons from complexes I and II to complex III, making it indispensable for oxidative phosphorylation and ATP generation. In its reduced form (ubiquinol), it also functions as a potent lipid-phase antioxidant, protecting cell membranes and circulating lipoproteins from peroxidation.
Primary CoQ10 deficiency is a group of autosomal recessive disorders caused by mutations in genes involved in ubiquinone biosynthesis. Clinical presentations range from severe infantile multisystem disease to isolated myopathy or cerebellar ataxia. Early diagnosis and supplementation can significantly improve outcomes in these conditions.
Secondary deficiency is far more common and is most frequently associated with statin therapy. Since statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase — the rate-limiting enzyme in both cholesterol and CoQ10 biosynthesis — patients on long-term statin treatment may experience reduced CoQ10 levels, potentially contributing to statin-associated myopathy and fatigue. Monitoring CoQ10 in these patients can guide supplementation decisions.
Coenzyme Q10 is extracted from a dried blood spot and quantified by isotope-dilution LC-MS/MS using a deuterium-labelled internal standard (CoQ10-d9). The method provides high sensitivity and specificity, accurately measuring total ubiquinone without interference from ubiquinol or other quinone species.
LC-MS/MS is the preferred analytical platform for CoQ10 due to its ability to resolve ubiquinone from structurally related compounds and achieve the low quantification limits required for clinical interpretation, particularly in deficiency states.
The DBS matrix provides a convenient and stable collection format for CoQ10 measurement. CoQ10 in dried blood spots is stable at ambient temperature when protected from light, making it suitable for remote collection, postal transit, and population screening programmes.
From enquiry to results in a few simple steps — no clinic visit required.
This test is available to healthcare professionals, wellness brands, clinics, and research institutions worldwide. We currently serve partners in:
Whether you need testing services for your patients, white-label kits for your brand, or method transfer to your own laboratory — get in touch to discuss how we can work together.
Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone) is a fat-soluble compound found in virtually every cell in the body, with the highest concentrations in organs with high metabolic demand such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. It plays a dual role: it is essential for ATP production in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, and it functions as a potent lipid-phase antioxidant protecting cell membranes from oxidative damage. Masdiag measures CoQ10 as ubiquinone from a dried blood spot by LC-MS/MS.
CoQ10 levels decline naturally with age and can be significantly depleted by statin medications, which inhibit the same biosynthetic pathway used to produce both cholesterol and CoQ10. Low CoQ10 has been linked to fatigue, muscle pain, exercise intolerance, and cardiovascular dysfunction. Testing provides an objective measurement to guide supplementation decisions, particularly for long-term statin users.
The test uses a simple finger-prick to collect a few drops of blood onto a dried blood spot (DBS) card. You can do this at home or in a clinic — no venous blood draw is needed. The DBS card is stable at room temperature when protected from light and can be posted to our laboratory by regular mail.
Results are typically delivered within 3 to 5 working days from the time your sample arrives at our laboratory. The analysis is performed by LC-MS/MS using a deuterium-labelled internal standard for accurate and reproducible quantification of ubiquinone.
Yes. Statins work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway. Because CoQ10 is synthesised via the same pathway, statin therapy can reduce endogenous CoQ10 production by up to 40%. This may contribute to statin-associated myopathy and fatigue. Monitoring CoQ10 levels is recommended for patients on long-term statin treatment to guide supplementation.
Masdiag's CoQ10 test is available worldwide through our partner network. We currently serve healthcare professionals, wellness brands, and clinics in Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Contact us to discuss testing services, white-label kits, or method transfer to your laboratory.
Whether you need testing services, method transfer, or white-label kit development — we'd love to hear from you.