Mitochondrial Function Panel (Biovis)

Assesses mitochondrial integrity and dysfunction, including reversible and irreversible damage markers

Mitochondrial Function Panel (Biovis)

Table of contents

Basic data

The Mitochondrial Function Panel analyzes specific blood and urine markers associated with cellular energy production, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial resilience. Mitochondria are essential for ATP generation — the energy currency of all cells — and their dysfunction is linked to fatigue, aging, and chronic disease.

This panel helps identify mitochondrial stress or damage that may be contributing to low energy, poor exercise tolerance, or cognitive fog, and guides further metabolic or nutritional interventions.

Category: Lab blood panel

Level: Advanced

Usefulness: Medium

Level

Advanced

This test is most suitable for advanced users who have optimized core lifestyle factors (sleep, nutrition, training, stress) and are exploring root-cause contributors to fatigue or performance plateaus. It is particularly useful in cases of suspected oxidative or nitrosative stress.

Usefulness

Medium

While not a standard diagnostic tool in conventional medicine, this panel may uncover subtle mitochondrial vulnerabilities that influence energy, recovery, and aging.
Detects early mitochondrial stress

Markers can reflect cellular overload, impaired energy conversion, or toxin-induced damage — before structural decline occurs.

Differentiates reversible vs. irreversible damage

Offers clues about which dysfunctions might improve with targeted antioxidant or mitochondrial support protocols.

How it works

This panel evaluates blood and/or urine markers associated with mitochondrial activity, damage, and systemic oxidative/nitrosative stress.
Sample collection

A fasting blood and/or first-morning urine sample is collected and analyzed for mitochondrial and redox biomarkers.

Analytical panel

Includes parameters such as Lactate, Pyruvate, Citrulline, Methylmalonic Acid, and Nitrotyrosine, among others.

Measures

The test provides insight into mitochondrial energy production, oxidative stress burden, and redox regulation.
Lactate/Pyruvate ratio

Reflects efficiency of aerobic metabolism. Elevated values may suggest impaired oxidative phosphorylation.

Nitrotyrosine

Marker of nitrosative stress and reactive nitrogen species damaging mitochondrial proteins.

Citrulline and Ornithine levels

May indicate disruptions in the urea cycle and mitochondrial detoxification processes.

Methylmalonic acid (MMA)

Elevated levels may indicate B12-related mitochondrial dysfunction or impaired fatty acid oxidation.

Coenzyme Q10 (if included)

Optional marker of mitochondrial antioxidant capacity and electron transport chain support.

Reliability

The interpretation of mitochondrial biomarkers is complex and influenced by factors such as nutrient status, inflammation, and toxin exposure.
Sensitive but nonspecific

Many mitochondrial markers can be affected by unrelated metabolic stressors. Requires expert contextual interpretation.

May fluctuate over time

Values may change with acute illness, training intensity, or recent supplement use — suggesting the need for repeat testing if used for tracking.

Limitations

This panel is exploratory rather than diagnostic and should not be used in isolation to confirm mitochondrial disease.
Limited normative ranges

Functional labs may lack robust population-based reference data, making interpretation highly individualized.

Requires practitioner interpretation

Results often need correlation with symptoms, clinical history, and additional functional tests.

Frequency

Suggested cadence

Recommended for one-time use in chronic fatigue or functional medicine evaluations. Repeat every 12–18 months if guiding a targeted protocol.

Cost

Typical costs

Generally ranges from $200 to $450 USD depending on the number of markers included. May be bundled with other panels.

Availability

Where available

Offered by select functional or integrative labs such as Biovis (EU) or Genova Diagnostics (US). Not available via standard hospital systems.

Preparation

How to prepare

Fasting blood draw (typically 8–12 hours) and first-morning urine preferred. Avoid intense exercise and high-dose antioxidant supplements 24–48h before testing.

Interpretation

Interpretation focuses on identifying energy metabolism bottlenecks, antioxidant system strain, or mitochondrial enzyme blockades.
Elevated Lactate/Pyruvate

Suggests impaired mitochondrial respiration. Consider NAD+ or CoQ10 support and mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants.

Elevated Nitrotyrosine

May indicate oxidative/nitrosative stress, especially relevant in neuroinflammation or toxin exposure.

Alternatives

Organic Acids Test (OAT)

Broader functional snapshot of metabolism including mitochondrial intermediates, gut status, and detoxification markers.

MitoSwab™ or muscle biopsy (clinical)

Used only in suspected mitochondrial disease. Highly invasive and rarely necessary in functional optimization.

FAQ

Who should consider mitochondrial testing?

Individuals with unexplained fatigue, poor exercise recovery, or suspicion of oxidative stress — particularly after lifestyle optimization.

Can mitochondrial dysfunction be reversed?

Some markers reflect reversible stress and can improve with targeted nutrition, detox, and mitochondrial support protocols.