Signs of
Biotin deficiency can cause thinning hair and loss of body hair; a rash around the eyes, nose, mouth, and anal area; pinkeye; high levels of acid in the blood and urine; seizures; skin infection; brittle nails; and nervous system disorders.
It's rare to be deficient in biotin. Symptoms include hair loss, dry scaly skin, cracking in the corners of the mouth (called cheilitis), swollen and painful tongue that is magenta in color (glossitis), dry eyes, loss of appetite, fatigue, insomnia, and depression.
A high dose of biotin supplement will take 3-5 days to treat the symptoms of biotinidase deficiency, and will most likely disappear in 3-5 months.
There are reports that excessive biotin supplementation can lead to insomnia. Since biotin supplements are needed to metabolize fats and carbohydrates and turn these into energy, excessive intake of biotin during nighttime might lead to a surge of energy. This surge of energy may make it difficult for you to sleep.
Most commonly, biotin use can result in falsely high levels of T4 and T3 and falsely low levels of TSH, leading to either a wrong diagnosis of hyperthyroidism or that the thyroid hormone dose is too high.
To maximize the intake of biotin and for safety reasons, always cook eggs before eating them. Raw egg white contains a protein called dietary avidin, which binds to biotin and makes it harder for the body to absorb it. Cooking separates the biotin from the avidin, helping the digestive tract to absorb the vitamin.
Ask a doctor before using biotin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.
In addition, biotin also helps to support your body's nervous system and thyroid function helping to regulate sleep, energy, and overall cognitive function. A deficiency in biotin could lead to symptoms of fatigue, mood swings, digestive issues or even low blood sugar levels.
Vitamin B12 depends on an adequate supply of biotin; part of B12's effect can only take place if the supply of biotin is ensured. In conclusion, during high-dose initial therapy following deficiency and if the biotin supply is in doubt, it is advisable to take additional biotin.
If a person has a biotin deficiency, taking biotin may improve the health of their skin. Otherwise, collagen can be a better option as there is more evidence to suggest it helps improve the skin's appearance.
Biotin has no effect on thyroid hormone levels or thyroid function in the body. However, biotin can interfere with the measurement of hormone levels in the laboratory, making them inaccurate. This is because biotin is added as a reagent during some of the laboratory methods.
6. Biotin (Vitamin B7) The brain is particularly sensitive to the delivery and metabolism of glucose. Biotin plays a key role in glucose metabolism and haemostasis, including regulation of hepatic glucose uptake, gluconeogenesis (and lipogenesis), insulin receptor transcription and pancreatic β-cell function [18].
Antibiotics -- Long-term antibiotic use may lower biotin levels by destroying the bacteria in the gut that produces biotin. Anticonvulsant Medications -- Long-term use of anticonvulsant medications can reduce the body's stores of biotin.
Does biotin cause weight gain? No, there is no evidence to suggest taking biotin supplements can lead to weight gain. In fact, biotin is sometimes touted as a weight-loss supplement. However, there is no research to support this use.
When B vitamins are deficient, including Biotin, the body cannot keep up with the energy requirements needed to power up the brain and other body parts. Lack of ATPs, which is the cell's energy currency, results in low energy or getting tired quickly.
Based on different studies, it appears that the better supplement recommended to combat thinning hair and maintaining hair health is biotin over collagen. It's far superior in terms of topical absorption and can be absorbed from many foods as part of a healthy, varied diet.
Research pertaining to how quickly vitamins work in the body is limited, however, we have found that some begin to see and experience benefits approximately 30 days after you start taking biotin. It may take up to 90 days or longer for some individuals.
But biotin has been shown to help with preventing balding and hair loss. In fact, biotin is primarily used for alopecia — a condition that causes hair loss in all sexes. “Biotin helps maintain hair growth and helps with inflammation,” Dr. Bergfeld says.