For those who take Biotin - how much should I take?

[Piglet1956]

Hello, I'm experiencing thinning and brittle hair despite good Vit D, Ferritin, Folate and B12 levels. I've been doing some investigation as to the potential causes and it seems I'm taking too much Selenium (350µg)but I'm not sure about ideal Biotin levels (I'm currently taking 100µg daily).

I had a look at Thorne Basic B and it seems a good allrounder but I'm unsure as to how many capsules I should take on a daily basis. I get thoroughly confused between µg and mg doses and my brain goes into meltdown when I try to work it all out.

Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I get thoroughly confused between µg and mg doses and my brain goes into meltdown when I try to work it all out.

ug = mcg = micrograms

mg = milligrams

1,000 mcg = 1 mg

Have you tested selenium? If not I think you should.

The RDA of selenium for an adult is 55mcg which we may be able to get from food such as seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products plus bread, cereals, and other grain products. Brazil nuts contain some selenium if they've been grown in selenium rich soil.

A safe amount of selenium to take without testing is said to be 100mcg.

Too much selenium over time can cause

Garlic breath

Nausea

Diarrhoea

Skin rashes

Irritability

Metallic taste in the mouth

Brittle hair or nails

Loss of hair or nails

Discoloured teeth

Nervous system problems

The suggested dose of Thorne Basic B is 1 capsule. That contains 10mg B6. For long term use it's recommended not to take more than 10mg B6 daily.

[Piglet1956 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie. I haven’t tested selenium (not quite sure how to do that) but will reduce dose to 150 mcg. I’ll also go for Thorne so thanks for this too.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Piglet1956]

Cerascreen do a mineral deficiency test (fingerprick) which includes selenium. I wouldn't take any more selenium until you've tested as you've been taking much more than is recommended.

[Piglet1956 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I will stop the selenium and look at testing. Thank you for the advice

[fiona61]

Just a thought but have you considered zinc deficiency ? My husbands was losing his hair after having covid and GP tested his zinc levels which were very low. He put him on 45mg zinc a day and I got him some biotin high strength that the hair dresser recommended and his hair regrew. I gave him 10,000mcg biotin. He's taken his for about a year and his hair is better than its been in years. I find my hair starts dropping out when my ferratin levels drop. We're all so different! Hope you get it sorted

[Piglet1956 in reply to fiona61]

Thanks for your suggestions. I had ferritin recently tested so I think I will focus on the selenium, biotin and also look at zinc.

[humanbean]

This is not an answer to your question, but it is related :

"16 Vitamin Deficiencies that Lead to Hair Loss"

discover.hubpages.com/healt...

It would be worth looking up the effects on hair of any of those listed vitamins and minerals when being taken in high doses.

[Piglet1956 in reply to humanbean]

Thanks. Looks like an interesting read.