What is the downside of taking biotin?

Author: Murl Feest  |  Last update: Sunday, June 22, 2025

Laboratory tests: Taking biotin supplements might interfere with the results of many different blood lab tests. Biotin can cause falsely high or falsely low test results. This might lead to missed or incorrect diagnoses. Tell your doctor if you are taking biotin supplements, especially if you are having lab tests done.

Why is biotin not recommended?

Can biotin be harmful? Biotin has not been shown to cause any harm. However, supplements that contain biotin above recommended amounts may cause false results in some lab tests, including those that measure levels of certain hormones, like thyroid hormone.

What happens to your body when you start taking biotin?

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, supports many parts of your body, including your nervous system, liver, eyes, hair, and skin. It helps the enzymes in your body carry out their jobs and keeps cells working as they should. Studies show that biotin supplements may help manage symptoms of diabetes.

Is biotin hard on your liver?

Dietary Biotin Supplementation Modifies Hepatic Morphology without Changes in Liver Toxicity Markers.

Are there harmful effects of biotin?

No side effects have been reported for biotin in amounts up to 10 milligrams a day. However, check with your health care professional if you notice any unusual effects while you are taking it.

What you need to know about the risks of Biotin

Can biotin cause weight gain?

There is no scientific evidence that collagen or biotin causes weight gain. There are many myths about collagen and biotin on forums, social media sites, and blogs. Some people claim these substances promote weight gain. There is no evidence to support this.

Is biotin safe for the kidneys?

There is no evidence that taking biotin causes kidney stones or leads to chronic kidney disease. However, high doses of biotin can produce false results for certain lab tests, including those for thyroid function and for hormone levels. Consult your doctor when you're considering taking biotin or any supplement.

What to avoid while taking biotin?

What Other Drugs Interact with Biotin?
  • The following 8 drugs have moderate interactions: azithromycin. ciprofloxacin. clarithromycin. erythromycin base. erythromycin ethylsuccinate. erythromycin lactobionate. erythromycin stearate. roxithromycin.
  • Biotin has mild interactions with at least 77 different drugs.

What is the controversy with biotin?

Last year, we reported on a study suggesting that taking high doses of biotin could skew certain diagnostic test results leading to false positives or false negatives for everything from pregnancy to cancer. In a statement released this week, the FDA has confirmed the concern.

Can biotin affect the heart?

Yes, taking supplements that contain high levels of biotin (vitamin B7) can lead to falsely low or falsely high results on a troponin test. Troponin, a protein found in heart muscle, is released into the bloodstream during a heart attack. Measuring blood troponin levels is the standard way to diagnose a heart attack.

Is 10,000 mcg biotin too much daily?

According to the Mayo Clinic, “no side effects have been reported for biotin in amounts up to 10 mg (10,000 mcg) per day.” Even so, numerous websites claim that too much biotin can weaken the immune system, impact the neurological system, contribute to high blood glucose levels, and cause digestion problems or skin ...

What foods are high in biotin?

Foods that contain the most biotin include organ meats, eggs, fish, meat, seeds, nuts, and certain vegetables (such as sweet potatoes) [2,12].

Should I take biotin in the morning or at night?

You can take biotin either in the morning or at night. The important thing here is consistency. Biotin is a water soluble vitamin, meaning that our bodies don't really store biotin. They use what they need and flush out the rest on a daily basis, through our urine.

What is the FDA warning on biotin?

“In 2017, the FDA identified a significant safety issue with biotin interference with certain in vitro diagnostic tests and issued a safety communication containing recommendations to the public to help mitigate potential biotin interference and warning that biotin interference with certain lab tests, including ...

What disease is biotin linked to?

Biotinidase deficiency (BTD) is the most common cause of biotin deficiency. BTD is a rare inherited disorder where the body is not able to use biotin and leads to biotin deficiency. It is caused by a mutation in the BTD gene.

Are there any negative effects of biotin?

[9] The side effects of ingesting too much biotin could include an upset stomach, although it remains a vitamin with very low side effects. Biotin uptake by human colonic epithelial is a carrier-mediated process.

Does biotin affect blood pressure?

Thus, biotin might prevent cardiovascular damage in the SHRSP strain by lowering the blood pressure and offering protection against medial hyperplasia. Organic nitrates have been widely used for the treatment of angina pectoris, IHD, heart failure and hypertension.

Why is my hair falling out after taking biotin?

As there are a number of alleged side-effects mentioned in relation to extreme over consumption of biotin, it may well be that any hair loss is a result of the body being 'out of sorts' or adjusting to this new regime rather than as a direct result of the biotin itself.

Is biotin safe for liver?

Dietary Biotin Mitigates the Risk of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Evidence Based on Prospective Study Involving 208,590 UK Biobank Participants.

Is biotin bad for your thyroid?

Further, some skin doctors also recommend biotin for these issues. 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.

Who should not take biotin?

If you have any medical conditions -- or are pregnant or breastfeeding -- check with a doctor before using biotin supplements. Don't give biotin to a child unless a pediatrician recommends it. Interactions. If you take any drugs regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using biotin supplements.

What is the best vitamin for kidneys and liver?

Including these kidney health supplements into your daily diet may help maintain your kidney health and slow the progression of chronic kidney disease complications.
  • Vitamin D. ...
  • Iron. ...
  • Vitamin B9. ...
  • Vitamin B12.

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