Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Vitamin

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Fasting Required

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Measures vitamin levels.

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Vitamin B7 (Biotin) Test Guide

Why is it done?
- Measures serum or plasma biotin levels to assess nutritional status and diagnose biotin deficiency
- Evaluates symptoms such as hair loss, skin rashes, brittle nails, and neurological problems
- Assesses patients with malabsorption syndromes, prolonged antibiotic use, or chronic alcoholism
- Monitors individuals with conditions affecting nutrient absorption such as inflammatory bowel disease or cystic fibrosis
- Evaluates biotin-responsive conditions including biotinidase deficiency and holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency
- Screens patients on chronic anticonvulsant therapy or those with pregnancy-related biotin needs
Normal Range
- Normal serum biotin levels: 200-900 pg/mL (picograms per milliliter) or 0.8-3.7 nmol/L (nanomoles per liter)
- Reference ranges may vary slightly between laboratories depending on testing methodology
- Low biotin levels: Less than 200 pg/mL indicates biotin deficiency; may be associated with clinical symptoms
- High biotin levels: Elevation above 900 pg/mL is rare but may occur with excessive supplementation
- Borderline levels: 200-400 pg/mL may warrant clinical evaluation and monitoring, especially if symptoms present
- Normal result indicates adequate biotin status for enzymatic and metabolic function
Interpretation
- Biotin deficiency (low levels): May manifest as alopecia (hair loss), dermatitis, conjunctivitis, paresthesia, and neurological symptoms
- Severe deficiency: Can cause ataxia, seizures, developmental delay in infants, and hearing loss if untreated
- Pregnancy-related low biotin: Approximately 50% of pregnant women experience decreased biotin levels; associated with increased risk of birth defects
- Secondary deficiency: Consider underlying malabsorption, dietary insufficiency, or medication effects if low levels detected
- Factors affecting results: Prolonged antibiotic use, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), raw egg white consumption, and certain medications may lower biotin
- High-dose biotin supplementation: Can interfere with laboratory test results, including thyroid function tests and troponin assays
- Clinical correlation: Laboratory values must be interpreted with patient symptoms, dietary history, and medical conditions for accurate assessment
Associated Organs
- Skin: Biotin deficiency causes dermatitis, erythematous rashes, and seborrheic dermatitis-like lesions
- Hair and nails: Deficiency leads to alopecia, hair thinning, brittle nails, and nail dystrophy
- Nervous system: Low biotin associated with peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, seizures, and developmental delays
- Gastrointestinal tract: Malabsorption conditions (Crohn's disease, celiac disease, IBS) impair biotin absorption
- Liver: Hepatic disorders and cystic fibrosis may impair biotin metabolism and activation
- Eyes: Conjunctivitis and periorbital dermatitis can occur with significant biotin deficiency
- Immune system: Biotin plays a role in immune function; deficiency may impair immune response
- Metabolic disorders: Biotinidase deficiency and holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency require early diagnosis and treatment
Follow-up Tests
- Biotinidase activity test: Recommended if biotin deficiency is confirmed, especially in infants and children
- Comprehensive metabolic panel: Assess overall nutritional status and screen for other B vitamin deficiencies
- Other B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12): Test for concurrent deficiencies common in malabsorption or inadequate nutrition
- Iron and zinc levels: These nutrients often correlate with biotin deficiency in malabsorption syndromes
- Tissue transglutaminase (tTG-IgA): Test for celiac disease if malabsorption is suspected
- Albumin and prealbumin: Assess overall nutritional status and protein malnutrition
- Repeat biotin testing: After supplementation initiation to monitor treatment response and adequacy
- Neuroimaging or EEG: If neurological symptoms present with severe deficiency
Fasting Required?
- No fasting required: Vitamin B7 (biotin) testing can be performed on non-fasting blood samples
- Food and beverage: No dietary restrictions needed prior to sample collection
- Discontinue biotin supplements: Stop biotin supplementation for at least 8-24 hours before testing for accurate baseline levels
- Medications: No specific medications need to be avoided; inform laboratory of all medications including biotin-containing supplements
- Sample timing: Can be collected at any time of day without time restrictions
- Special preparations: No special patient preparation required beyond standard venipuncture precautions
- High-dose biotin interference: High-dose biotin (>5 mg/day) may interfere with other laboratory tests; wait 48-72 hours after last dose if possible

How our test process works!