Biotin and ESR/CRP Testing

[Burroughs123]

Good evening. I have been taking supplements - AdCalD3 (of course!), Vit K2, VitB complex magnesium glycerine/malate and fish oil - fairly religiously since starting on pred. To help with hair/skin/bone thinning, I have also taken collagen and biotin. I was alarmed to discover tonight that biotin can potentially skew blood tests, and wondered if ESR and CRP tests are affected. Any thoughts?

[PMRCanada]

I was not aware that biotin could skew blood tests. I’ve been taking 5000 mcg daily for over 5 years and have bloodwork monthly, however as far as I know my ESR and CRP remain accurate and reflective of my inflammation levels (ie. both were raised when my PMR flared and when I had a diverticulitis flare). I’m not sure how you would determine if indeed biotin was skewing your bloodwork results. In what way(s) does it impact your results?

[piglette]

Biotin can affect blood tests. If you are worried allow eight hours or so when you have blood tests. In fact if you take less than 1mg you should be OK.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

testing.com/articles/biotin....

It is only certain types of blood test, using a technique called immunoassay where a type of biotin is used in the test. This is mainly used for hormones - thyroid, vit D, troponin (uesd for heart attacks) and other hormones. You should always mention it when having blood tests in case the doctor has included one of those. And obviously if you are taken to the ED with a suspected heart attack!!!

Other blood tests are not affected.

[Burroughs123 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRPro - I knew you’d be the oracle!