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DR Sarah Myhill MB BS, Upper Weston, Llangunllo, Knighton, Powys, Wales, UK LD7 1SL

This document discusses the use of co-enzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. It states that chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by mitochondrial failure and Co-Q10 is essential for mitochondrial function. It recommends measuring Co-Q10 levels in patients and supplementing with doses between 100-400 mg daily depending on levels to achieve blood concentrations of 1.5-2.5 μg/ml. Supplementation may take 30 days to see a clinical response but could improve heart-related symptoms. The document provides dosage guidance based on blood Co-Q10 levels.

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116 views2 pages

DR Sarah Myhill MB BS, Upper Weston, Llangunllo, Knighton, Powys, Wales, UK LD7 1SL

This document discusses the use of co-enzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. It states that chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by mitochondrial failure and Co-Q10 is essential for mitochondrial function. It recommends measuring Co-Q10 levels in patients and supplementing with doses between 100-400 mg daily depending on levels to achieve blood concentrations of 1.5-2.5 μg/ml. Supplementation may take 30 days to see a clinical response but could improve heart-related symptoms. The document provides dosage guidance based on blood Co-Q10 levels.

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I leven
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Dr Sarah Myhill MB BS, Upper Weston, Llangunllo, Knighton, Powys, Wales, UK LD7 1SL

Tel: 01547550331 Fax: 01547550339 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.drmyhill.co.uk

Ref: Information / C0-Q10 in CFS March 06 (updated October 2008)


Co-enzyme Q10 in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a symptom of mitochondrial failure, resulting in poor production of ATP which is the
currency of energy in the body. To produce ATP, mitochondria need certain essential raw materials, namely Co-
enzyme Q10, D-ribose, L-carnitine, magnesium and vitamin B3.
In a normal healthy person, Co-Q10 can be synthesized, but it requires the amino acid tyrosine, at least eight
vitamins and several trace elements. Vitamins include folic acid, vitamin C, B12, B6 and B5. Synthesis of Co-
Q10 is inhibited by environmental toxins and chronic disease. I am coming to the view that many of my CFS
patients are metabolically dyslexic – that is to say even when all the raw materials are available, they cannot make
their own Co-Q10 in sufficient amounts and therefore levels need to be measured and supplemented. Certainly
when I check blood levels it is very common to find very low levels of co Q 10. Co Q 10 is the most important
antioxidant in mitochondria and since it is the rate at which mitochondria fail which determines the normal ageing
process, it may well be that co Q 10 is a vital anti-ageing molecule!
The question is how much Co-Q10 should be given? The normal range in blood given by Biolab Medical Unit is
0.55 – 2.0 mmol/L. This is equivalent to 0.637 – 2.3 μg/ml. However, Co-enzyme Q10 has been widely used in
the treatment of heart failure, which we now know is what happens in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
There have been a great many studies done looking at Co-enzyme Q10 levels in heart disease and although the
optimal dose of Co-Q10 is not known for every pathological situation, most researchers now agree that blood
levels of 2.5 μg/ml and preferably 3.5 μg/ml are required to have a positive impact on severely diseased hearts.
Clearly not all patients I see with chronic fatigue syndrome have severely diseased hearts, but my view is that we
should be aiming for a level of 2 – 2.5 μg/ml (i.e. 1.72 – 2.15 mmol/L – the Biolab units). Again, the dose of Co-
Q10 in order to achieve a response has been worked out for cardiac patients and this varies from 200 – 600 mg
daily.
It is important that a hydro-soluble form of Co-enzyme Q10 is used in order to ensure good absorption, but it is
expensive. The absorption of Co-Q10 can be improved if it is taken with a fatty or oily meal. Or you could empty
a capsule into a teaspoon of olive oil before swallowing the lot. It is possible for Co-Q10 to be prescribed on NHS
Prescription! Co-Q10 is not in the British National Formulary, but it has not been blacklisted in capsule form, so
is prescribable. If your GP is willing to help, then ask him to prescribe ubidecarenone 100mg capsules. The
chemist can order any brand that is available to him and the Prescription Pricing Authority will honour the
prescription. If your GP will not prescribe it then I can supply.
So I am estimating that the following doses of Co-Q10 will be required:
Blood levels Co-Q10 1.5 – 2.0 umol/l 100mg Co-Q10
Blood levels Co-Q10 1.0 – 1.5 umol/l 200mg Co-Q10, split the dose: 100 mg twice a day
Blood levels Co-Q10 0.5 – 1.0 umol/l 300mg Co-Q10, split the dose: 100 mg 3 times a day
Blood levels Co-Q10 <0.5 umol/l 400mg Co-Q10, split the dose: 200mg am, 100mg lunch,
100mg evening

Once a therapeutic effect has been achieved, then it should be possible to reduce the dose to a lower maintenance
dose, but a blood test may be required to re-check that levels are adequate.
Co-Q10 can be expected to work best in conjunction with magnesium (available in the MMMs), D-ribose (see
enclosed handout), acetyl L-carnitine (also available through eating red meat, especially mutton, lamb, beef and
pork – but to get 2 grams you need to eat about a pound of meat a day!) and NAD (levels can be measured, but
most people need 500mg of NAD daily – again, I can supply.
It may take up to 30 days to get blood levels up to a good level and therefore start to see clinical response. Most
studies of use of Co-Q10 in heart disease assess patients at three months. I would also expect to see
improvements in heart related symptoms such as chest pain, dysrhythmias, exercise tolerance, shortness of breath
and mitral valve disease. There are virtually no side effects.
_________________________________________________________________
Sarah Myhill Limited Registered in England and Wales Registration No: 4545198
Registered office: Upper Weston, Llangunllo, Knighton, Powys, Wales LD7 1SL

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