{"id":61855,"date":"2023-12-01T18:19:22","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T23:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=61855"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:23:32","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:23:32","slug":"biotin-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/biotin-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Biotin side effects and how to avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Biotin<\/span><\/a> is a water-soluble vitamin also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H. It is a common ingredient in over-the-counter dietary supplements such as multivitamins, B complex vitamins, prenatal vitamins, and postnatal vitamins. It can also be purchased separately under several product brand names such as <\/span>Meribin<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Mega Biotin<\/span><\/a>, Biotin 5000, <\/span>Natrol Biotin Beauty Extra Strength<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Biotin Maximum Strength<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Super Biotin<\/span><\/a>. It can also be found in a topical form that is added to some shampoos, skin creams, and nail lacquer products. <\/span><\/p>\n

Biotin side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

When oral biotin is marketed for alopecia, hair health, nail strength, or general beauty purposes, it often contains high doses of biotin, typically ranging from 5–10 milligrams (mg), which may exceed the <\/span>daily recommended intake<\/span><\/a>. Therefore, some people may be concerned about side effects. However, there are generally no serious side effects associated with biotin supplementation, even when taken in high doses. In most people, the body clears excess biotin through the urine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Biotin uses<\/span><\/h2>\n

Biotin’s popularity as a dietary supplement and topical treatment stems from claims that it <\/span>promotes hair and nail growth<\/span><\/a> and improves skin health. It is also touted as an <\/span>eczema<\/span><\/a> treatment. The <\/span>National Institutes of Health<\/span><\/a> points out that these claims have not been substantiated, as evidence for such claims involves case reports and small studies rather than controlled trials. However, thinning hair, brittle nails, and a scaly skin rash are all potential signs of biotin deficiency, giving these claims some plausibility. <\/span><\/p>\n

How much biotin do you need?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Other than as a beauty, hair, skin, or health treatment, most people don’t need biotin supplements because it’s often supplemented through the diet. The recommended daily allowance of dietary biotin is 30 micrograms (mcg) per day for most adults. A healthy diet should supply about 35–70 mcg of biotin per day, often making supplementation unnecessary. However, healthcare professionals may advise women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to take extra biotin to meet the needs of the developing fetus or nursing infant. <\/span><\/p>\n

Some people have biotin deficiency due to a rare condition called biotinidase deficiency. People with this deficiency aren’t able to get enough biotin from their diet, so they generally need to take biotin supplements. While the recommended daily allowance of biotin is 30 mcg per day, healthcare professionals prescribe or recommend high doses for people with biotin deficiency. Biotin may also be beneficial for people who experience hair loss after bariatric surgery or infants with scaly patches on the scalp. <\/span><\/p>\n

Biotin and hormone test interference<\/span><\/h2>\n

Biotin does not affect thyroid health or thyroid hormone levels. However, it can interfere with <\/span>certain types of hormone function tests<\/span><\/a>, including thyroid function tests, vitamin D tests, <\/span>heart attack tests (troponin tests)<\/span><\/a>, and lab tests of gonadotropin hormones (the hormones that stimulate the activity of testes and ovaries). For example, biotin supplements may give false positives or false negatives on <\/span>thyroid function tests<\/span><\/a>. In these cases, incorrect laboratory tests may lead to misdiagnosis of thyroid issues such as <\/span>hyperthyroidism<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>hypothyroidism<\/span><\/a>, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s disease, and thyroid cancer. Skewed hormone test results are more likely to occur with high daily doses of biotin.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Can you take biotin and Synthroid together?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Biotin interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Biotin has very few known drug interactions. All known biotin drug interactions are considered minor and involve only the body’s ability to absorb or use biotin. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n