Daily OTC Pearl: Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

October 12, 2021

Saro Arakelians, PharmD

Article

Biotin deficiency can cause thinning of the hair and a rash on the face.

OTC/Lifestyle Pearl of the Day: Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Indication: Biotin (vitamin B7) is involved in a wide range of metabolic processes, both in humans and in other organisms, primarily related to the use of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids.

Insight:

Biotin (vitamin B7) is a vitamin found in foods such as eggs, milk, and bananas. Biotin deficiency can cause thinning of the hair and a rash on the face.
There isn't a good test for detecting low biotin levels, so it's usually identified by its symptoms, which include thinning hair and a red, scaly rash around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Biotin is used for biotin deficiency.
It is also commonly used for hair loss, brittle nails, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Biotin supplements may interfere with some lab tests.
There is no recommended daily allowance, but an adequate amount of biotin is thought to be 30 mcg a day. The National Institutes of Health has not established how much is too much, but it doesn’t seem to be toxic even in oral doses as high as 200,000 mcg a day.