Lab: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Jurisdiction: JM Part B. States: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia. Type: Active LCD

This is a non-coverage policy for serum or other body fluid testing for levels of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10 or Q10), also known as ubiquinone, ubidecarenone, coenzyme Q, for all diseases. Q10 supplementation is purported to: Prolong life and prevent age-related functional declines; Inhibit the development and/or progression of atherosclerosis; Have value as an adjunct to conventional medical therapy in the treatment of congestive heart failure, conventional angina therapy, and cancer; Is protective against myocardial damage during ischemia-reperfusion during cardiac surgery; Is beneficial in the treatment of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes; Plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia; Enhance athletic performance; and Enhance fertility. However, scientific indications for Q10 supplementation, except as anecdotally reported for rare mitochondrial encephalomyopathies, are poor and/or controversial, as are indications for Q10 testing by any methodology. Q10 is a highly lipophilic molecule with a chemical structure similar to vitamin K. Its most prominent role is to facilitate the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the mitochondria by participating in redox reactions within the electron transport chain. Two major factors lead to deficiency of Q10 in humans: reduced biosynthesis and increased use by the body. As many as 12 genes control biosynthesis; Q10 levels may also be controlled by other genetic defects not directly related to Q10 biosynthesis.