ABSTRACT
Biotin Supplementation: Efficacy and Clinical Risks

Biotin also known as B7 and Vitamin H, is marketed for hair, skin, and nail health supplementation, but scientific evidence does not support its use for hair loss prevention or treatment in healthy individuals. While biotin deficiency can cause hair thinning, it is rare in developed countries due to sufficient dietary intake from biotin rich foods. Despite this, high-dose biotin supplements—often up to 10,000 mcg—exceeding the FDA’s recommended 30 mcg daily intake, raises concerns over unnecessary consumption and clinical risks. It is not clear that hair growth or nail strength in healthy individuals is enhanced at high doses of biotin. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that high-dose biotin supplementation can interfere with laboratory tests using biotin-streptavidin interactions including hormone and cardiovascular markers often leading to false lab results. Small specific populations are at increased risk of biotin deficiency and may require supplementation, such as individuals with rare genetic disorders, chronic alcoholism, excessive raw egg white consumption, relying on intravenous feeding, taking long-term antibiotics or anti-seizure medications, or experiencing gastrointestinal issues like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. While biotin is essential for metabolic and cellular functions, high-dose supplementation studies lack clinical evidence for hair health and carry risks of laboratory test interference, nutrient interactions and deficiencies, metabolic disruption, dermatological reactions, and hepatic strain. Evidence underscores the importance of prioritizing natural dietary sources and consulting a healthcare provider before supplementation. Further research is necessary to clarify biotin’s role in specific conditions and long-term safety.