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HelpOrder Code TQ10 Coenzyme Q10, Total, Plasma
Useful For
Diagnosis of primary coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiencies in some patients who are not supplemented with CoQ10
Monitoring patients receiving statin therapy
Monitoring CoQ10 status during treatment of various degenerative conditions, including Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases
Providing accurate quantitation of total CoQ10 when specimens are hemolyzed
This test is not useful for distinguishing primary CoQ10 deficiencies from acquired CoQ10 deficiencies.
Genetics Test Information
This test is used for the diagnosis of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency in mitochondrial disorders. It is also used to monitor CoQ10 status in patients with mitochondrial cytopathies, patients receiving statin therapy, or during treatment of various degenerative conditions including Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases.
Method Name
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with Electrochemical Detection
Reporting Name
Coenzyme Q10, Total, PSpecimen Type
Plasma HeparinOrdering Guidance
This test does not quantitate reduced coenzyme Q10. For reduced coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), order Q10 / Coenzyme Q10, Reduced and Total, Plasma.
The most reliable test for the diagnosis of primary defects in ubiquinone (ie, CoQ10) biosynthesis is direct measurement of CoQ10 in muscle.
Necessary Information
Patient's age is required.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Fasting (8 hours)
Collection Container/Tube: Green top (lithium or sodium heparin)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Immediately after collection, place specimen on wet ice. Maintain on wet ice and process within 3 hours of collection.
2. Centrifuge, aliquot plasma into plastic vial, and freeze immediately.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma Heparin | Frozen (preferred) | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 10 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
<18 years: 320-1558 mcg/L
≥18 years: 433-1532 mcg/L
Miles MV, Horn PS, Tang PH, et al. Age-related changes in plasma coenzyme Q10 concentrations and redox state in apparently healthy children and adults. Clin Chim Acta. 2004;34:139-144
Method Description
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is extracted from plasma with cold 1-propanol containing coenzyme Q9 as an internal standard. An aliquot of the lipid extract is fractionated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).(Tang PH, Miles MV, DeGrauw A, Hershey A, Pesce A. HPLC analysis of reduced and oxidized coenzyme Q[10] in human plasma. Clin Chem. 2001;47[2]:256-265; Claessens AJ, Yeung CK, Risler LJ, Phillips BR, Himmelfarb J, Shen DD. Rapid and sensitive analysis of reduced and oxidized coenzyme Q10 in human plasma by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and application to studies in healthy human subjects. Ann Clin Biochem. 2016;53[Pt 2]:265-273. doi:10.1177/0004563215593097)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
82542
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Biochemical Genetics Test Request (T798) with the specimen.