Serum coenzyme Q10 levels in thyroid disorders.

The correlation between serum CoQ10 levels and serum thyroid hormones in thyroid disorders was investigated in the present studies. Serum CoQ10 was measured by high speed liquid chromatography utilizing ultraviolet detector. In normal controls, serum CoQ10 level of the male was higher than that of the female. Serum CoQ10 level in hyperthyroidism was significantly lower than that of euthyroid subjects. But in hypothyroidism, serum CoQ10 level did not show any significant difference from that of euthyroid subjects. Significant inverse correlations were demonstrated between log CoQ10 and log T3, log T4, log free T4, or log rT3. These data suggested abnormalities in the mitochondrial electron transport system in thyroid disorders.