Biotin use

[Maddiez]

I've been reading posts here about taking biotin & how it affects blood test results. I started daily biotin supplement around 2014 when I had a treatment for multiple sclerosis that was thinning my hair & weakening my nails. I found it was really helping & noticed a difference when I ran out once.

Now I've just had my 1st 4 week blood test after starting Carbimazole so now I'm so wondering how accurate the results will be. I was never asked if I take biotin or anything else so didn't think about it.

After the blood test that got my hyperthyroidism diagnosis I was just told !y level was a bit high & I'll probably get a phone call this week telling me the Carbimazole is working or to up the dose but I'm not sure now after reading about biotin use here. What would be the next best step? Thanks

[radd]

Maddiez,

If you are taking biotin as an individual supplement the amount could be substantial enough to alter lab results. It doesn’t happen to everyone as depends upon the assay used but for complete clarity I would stop the biotin for a few days and ask for a retest.

If your GP makes a fuss, show him the attached NHS guidelines which are actually re hypothyroidism but near the bottom of the page states ‘biotin supplements can affect the accuracy of thyroid function tests’

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

[pennyannie]

Hello Maddiez :

The NHS generally allocate a window of around 15/18 months treatment with Carbimazole and there is an alternative - Propylthiouracil ( PTU) should this first Anti Thyroid drug not suit you - plese read the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for potential side effects.

AT drugs are used to semi-block your own natural daily production of thyroid hormones and the dose generally titrated/adjusted several times as regular blood test dictate.

Do you have a daignosis as to why your thyroid has become over active ?

It would be a good idea to arrange online access to your medical records so you can track your progress through this period of ill health and we can explain what the blood tests mean and put things into context for you.

Thyroid uk - www,thyroiduk.org - the charity who support this forum have further details of all things thyroid on their website and an excellent source of furthr reading - as well as just reading other posts on this patient to patient support group.

Hopefully the Carbimazole will alleviate the symptoms you are dealing with and you will soon feel more comfortable - please rest up and be kind to yourself.

[Maddiez in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks pennyannie, I've not actually been told why they think my thyroid has become active, she just said once I have one auto immune I'm liable to others (which I knew). I have an App to try and track my health but strange enough, under blood tests it says no results available. I'll have to ask about it.

[pennyannie in reply to Maddiez]

Oh yes - I think that's the 'standard line ' as mainstream medical are a bit baffled by auto immune disease - and Graves especially is poorly understood and badly treated and sadly there is no cure.

We are looking for three blood tests and an antibody reading - generally written as a TSH - Free T3 and Free T4 result and range and with the antibody unique to Graves being written as something like a TSH/ Thyroid Receptor - a TRab reading being positive generally with either a cut off marker.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

You should stop biotin 5-7 days before all blood tests

Biotin can affect lots of different tests

MS treatment can trigger Graves’ disease (autoimmune hyperthyroid disease)

healthcentral.com/condition...

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels too

What other vitamins are you currently taking

[Maddiez]

Thank you for all your replies.

[helvella]

Have a look at my blog:

helvella - Biotin supplementation and testing

A short article about how and why biotin can affect blood tests. Includes information about how to avoid any problems.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[roukounasGK in reply to helvella]

Hello helvella ! Do you know if this also applies to biotin rich foods as well? Or is it just supplements due to the high concentration?

[helvella in reply to roukounasGK]

The blog does have this paragraph:

From the beginning, no-one involved thought ordinary dietary levels of biotin, the amounts we typically get from food - something like 35 to 70 micrograms a day, would have any effect.

Still no-one thinks biotin as part of food has any significance at all with respect to testing.

[Maddiez]

Thanks helvella, I'll have a read

[jez84]

I have no knowledge of Biotin use so can't help. Good luck.