Wellness

[RespectLife]

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Safety Communication titled, “The FDA Warns that Biotin May Interfere with Laboratory Tests.” The FDA is alerting the public, health care providers and laboratory personnel that biotin can interfere with certain lab tests and cause incorrect lab test results.

Some supplements, particularly those labeled for hair, skin, and nail benefits, may have high doses of biotin, which may not be clear from the label. Biotin in patient samples can cause falsely high or falsely low results, depending on the test. Clinical decisions made based on incorrect laboratory test results may lead to patient harm due to inappropriate patient treatment and diagnosis.

The FDA Safety Communication  is available on the FDA website.

Thank you.
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Food and Drug Administration

Just wanted everyone who takes this to be aware.  I take 5000/day.  The way I read this is that the warning is to make you aware that test results my be affected.  I will keep this in mind should I receive any skewed blood work.

[2blonde]

@RespectLife  Yes, I also take a lot of Biotin.  I wonder what specific tests or test results they are referring to.  I mean, are they saying it will raise your LDL, glucose, or triglyceride numbers, for instance?

[RespectLife]

@2blonde

If you click on the blue sentence in my post...it is the link to the full article posted on the FDA website.  It is quite lengthy.

Under Health care providers it says:

"Be aware that many lab tests, including but not limited to cardiovascular diagnostic tests and hormone tests, that use biotin technology are potentially affected, and incorrect test results may be generated if there is biotin in the patient’s specimen."

I didn't see exactly what you mentioned in the article..LDLm glucose etc. 

I would read the full article. 

I'm going to print it to discuss w/ my doc at my next appt.  I won't make a special appt. just for this though...to me it is a warning to be aware of the fact and no treatment for any 'conditions' should be started w/o discussing the patients use of biotin.

BUT I am not a doctor!  LOL  My sister is the FDA Compliance Officer at her company and received this yesty.  We both take it and she wanted me to know,

[2blonde]

@RespectLife  Thanks for your response.  I guess I was too lazy to read the full report, but maybe I will take the time to do that now.  I take, and have been taking, many types of supplements and vitamins for over 40 years.  I have to wonder if other supplements would have effects on bloodwork as well.

[blackhole99]

That should not be a problem for patients because the patient should be telling their doctor every medicine and vitamin supplement, even herbal supplements they are taking. I recently had a vit B level drawn at the lab and my results were off the charts high, but the doc knew I was taking biotin and other VitB supplements. High Vit B levels can indicate some pretty nasty diseases from what I read.

[Nightowlz]

I'm also taking 5000 mg per day. I will mention to my doctor but know that won't do any good. Doctors are not up on supplements so he won't have a clue what I'm talking about when I ask him. I'm sure the response will be not to take any supplements since he says they go in one end & out the other.  When he told me that I said yes they do but I get benefits in between. They all say they are a waste of money. Guess they can have their opinions.

[Shelbelle]

Biotin is measured in mcg, not mg, I take 10,000 mcg daily, that is about the max amt. I just had blood drawn last week, not gotten any results yet.

[2blonde]

@Nightowlz  You are very correct about doctors and supplements (the "in and out" thing).  What I don't understand is, if they can say that about supplements, then why do theybother prescribing pills?  I mean, why would they think the result would be any different?  Your doc is out of touch with the times......even docs are now telling people to take vitamin D caps, among other things.  I think it does help vitamin absorption when you take them with a good meal (not a couple cups of coffee!).  

[Shelbelle]

I like to refer to Dr Andrew Weil who is educated in both regular meds and supplements.

[Krimpette]

From what I have read (and this doesn't appear to be "new" news....as long as you are certain to tell your doctor know that you're taking it and the dosage, they are supposed to convey that information to the lab.  I didn't get into all the details, but it sounds like the lab can take your Biotin dosage into account what analyzing the results.