Welcome to another Carlton Corner blog discussion.
Today, I would like to specifically address Biotin, its importance, and potential interference with thyroid labs!
Biotin is everywhere and marketed by everyone. This is an important vitamin and serves many roles, which is why I am writing today and keeping you informed.
Biotin, which is a water-soluble B vitamin, labeled as B7, plays an important role in energy. In addition to its important enzymatic role in energy production, Biotin is frequently marketed and taken to prevent hair loss.
This binds with enzymes responsible for fat and carbohydrate breakdown, affecting the following health aspects:
- Metabolism: Biotin is an essential coenzyme for several carboxylase enzymes, which play a critical role in fatty acid synthesis, the breakdown of amino acids, and glucose synthesis. These processes help convert our food into usable energy and help your metabolism.
- Nervous system: Biotin plays an important role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, which are the communication molecules transmitted by nerves.
- Skin, Hair, and Nails: Biotin helps promote strength for your skin, hair, and nails as it binds the amino acid lysine.
Lysine is an essential amino acid that the body cannot synthesize and therefore must obtain through the diet. This is crucial for protein synthesis, hormone production, and immune function.
A deficiency can lead to fatigue, irritability, and slow growth and metabolism.
Good dietary sources include meat, fish, dairy products, legumes, and quinoa.
The bound connection between Biotin and Lysine form Biocytin. This has major significance and is involved in various biochemical processes, including absorption and utilization.
Thyroid labs are frequently checked as the thyroid is a complex organ and has many functions, including metabolism, temperature control, mood, and some cardiovascular functions. Thus, many physicians from many specialties follow and track these closely.
Good news is here, though. Through some of my reading, I learned that Biotin (B7) does not directly impact thyroid function or thyroid hormone levels. Thus, taking Biotin and thyroid medications is generally considered safe.
However, though biotin does not directly affect thyroid Function, it can interfere with laboratory tests such as TSH, T3, or T4. High doses, which may be taken for hair and nail support, may result in misleading and falsely elevated hormone levels. To safeguard against any misleading results, we recommend that you stop taking biotin supplements 2-3 days prior to any thyroid function testing. This precaution will help prevent any incorrect values.
Please continue to tune into Carlton Corner Blogs.
Dr. Chad Carlton, MD, FACS, FASMBS, DABS-FPMBS
Board Certified Bariatric & General Surgeon
