Is Vitamin B7 (Biotin) safe?
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Safety of Vitamin B7 (Biotin): An Overview
Introduction to Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Vitamin B7, also known as biotin, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in the metabolization of nutrients into energy. It acts as a coenzyme in various carboxylase reactions essential for fatty acid synthesis and amino acid metabolism2. Biotin is naturally found in foods such as egg yolk, liver, and yeast, and can also be synthesized by gut bacteria2.
Biotin Supplementation and Safety Concerns
Biotin Interference in Laboratory Tests
One of the primary safety concerns associated with biotin supplementation is its potential to interfere with laboratory tests. High levels of biotin in the bloodstream can lead to incorrect results in various immunoassays, which are commonly used diagnostic tests1 4 5. This interference occurs because many immunoassays use the interaction between biotin and streptavidin, leading to falsely high or low results depending on the test1 4 5. For instance, biotin supplementation has been shown to cause erroneous results in tests for parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which can adversely affect patient care, especially in individuals with conditions like end-stage renal disease6.
Recommended Daily Allowance and Excessive Ingestion
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for biotin is relatively low, with the US adequate intake (AI) for adults set at 30 µg/day2. However, biotin supplements available over-the-counter often contain doses far exceeding this recommendation, sometimes up to 10 mg per tablet4. Despite the lack of direct toxicity from biotin, excessive ingestion can lead to high circulating levels that interfere with laboratory tests, creating a spurious biochemical picture of disease2 4.
Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability
A study on a novel form of biotin, magnesium biotinate (MgB), demonstrated that biotin is well absorbed into the bloodstream and tissues, including the brain, with increasing blood levels associated with higher doses3. This study found no adverse effects from biotin supplementation, suggesting that biotin itself is not toxic at high doses3. However, the potential for laboratory test interference remains a significant concern.
Conclusion
While biotin is essential for various metabolic processes and generally safe at recommended doses, excessive supplementation poses risks primarily due to its interference with laboratory tests. This can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare providers to be aware of a patient's biotin intake when interpreting lab results and for consumers to adhere to recommended dosages to avoid potential complications.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Biotin interference: Underrecognized patient safety risk in laboratory testing.
Biotin supplementation may lead to inaccurate results in various laboratory tests, potentially causing patient safety risks.
Methods for assessment of biotin (Vitamin B7)
This paper reviews methods for assessing biotin levels in foods, blood, serum/plasma, and urine, and highlights the importance of detecting functional biotin deficiency using multiple carboxylase deficiency.
Pharmacokinetics of a Novel Form of Biotin, Magnesium Biotinate, in Healthy Subjects (P06-027-19).
Magnesium biotinate is a bioavailable form of biotin, with increasing blood levels associated with increasing dose levels in healthy female subjects.
RCT
Very Rigorous JournalBiotin Interference in Diagnostic Tests.
Biotin supplements, often marketed as beauty products, can interfere with diagnostic tests, potentially causing inaccurate results.
Biotin interference in immunoassay: a review for the laboratory scientist
Biotin interference in immunoassays can cause falsely low or high results, and laboratory scientists must manage this issue to prevent incorrect patient results.
Biotin supplement interference with immunoassays for parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in a patient with metabolic bone disease on maintenance hemodialysis.
Biotin supplements can cause erroneous 25(OH)D and iPTH results in end-stage renal disease patients, potentially impacting patient care.
Case Report
Rigorous JournalPharmacological Effects of Biotin in Animals.
Pharmacological doses of biotin affect glucose and lipid metabolism, hypertension, reproduction, development, and immunity in animals, with potential toxic effects still poorly studied.
Factitious Graves' Disease Due to Biotin Immunoassay Interference-A Case and Review of the Literature.
Biotin ingestion in moderate to high doses can cause immunoassay interference, potentially leading to falsely high or low values in various tests, requiring awareness for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Case ReportRigorous Journal
Highly CitedThe Effectiveness of Biotin (Vitamin B7) Added to the Diet in Improving the Efficiency of Productivity, and Some Physiological Traits for Broiler Chickens (Ross-308) Exposed to Oxidative Stress.
Adding vitamin B7 in different concentrations to the diet of broiler chickens exposed to oxidative stress improves productivity and some physiological traits compared to negative and positive control treatments.
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