Does Biotin Live Up to the Hype?
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, has become very popular over the last five years. But does it live up to the hype? Our short answer: no. Read on to learn why.
The Claims
Due to the marketing of its ability to improve the health of skin, hair, and nails, along with increasing commercial availability, consumers have turned to biotin. In particular, patients suffering from hair loss have put their faith in biotin supplements.
The Reality
In fact, the benefits of biotin supplementation for hair thinning and hair loss remain largely unproven:
Review of scientific literature shows no randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials using biotin to treat any form of hair loss (alopecia).
Surveys show less than 50% of patients taking biotin notice improvement in the conditions they are treating.
Biotin deficiency is rare in the United States. Therefore, a biotin deficiency is rarely the cause for concern.
In 2017 and again in 2019, the FDA issued a warning regarding high-dose biotin supplementation. Taking biotin may interfere with your laboratory results, leading to false or missed diagnoses. Common labs that may have erroneous results include thyroid function tests, hormone levels, and cardiac tests (specifically of troponin levels) to diagnose myocardial infarction (heart attack).
In spite of the hype in social media and marketing, in practice, biotin supplements are rarely recommended to treat brittle nails and hair loss.
Talk to Us
Our dermatologists can help determine if a biotin supplement will be helpful in treating any condition of the skin, hair, or nails. If biotin is not preferred or recommended, our physicians can get you on track to the best course of treatment.
Please contact SSDP to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shroff-Mehta or any of our physicians.
