biotin

[lovelab]

Hi all, asking for mt daughter. Does biotin increase or decrease TSH levels in blood tests. She has just had blood results in with TSH at 18 (0.3 to 5) . Up til now she has always had results bottom of range but high TPOs and not on any thyroid hormones. Dr tests her every 6 months to see how things evolve but this high result is quite out if blue. She doe take gummies for healthy hair and they contain biotin. So wondering how it interferes? Thanks for your feed back.

[helvella Administrator]

I don't think that we can be certain which way results go.

When the issue was first being discussed all that was said was that there could be interference from biotin.

Though there has been more work, I don't think we can categorically answer that.

Also, thought the effect is important, I'd be surprised if it could account for a leap like that.

Did they run Free T4 (or anything else) as well?

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...

[lovelab in reply to helvella]

thank you for your reply and link. Her FT4 is 4.8 (7.5 - 21.1), therefore low but they did not test FT3. It was a liver specialist who tested her because she has high enzymes and is a non drinker and not overweight. Daughter had told him she had hashimoto and but not yet any thyroid problelms. She also told him she was on vitamins and biotin gummies. I noted also her neutrophils were below range. Dr told her to see endo asap, so we'll get an appointment. Also to be safe get an appointment with GP in parallel in case there is a long delay.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to lovelab]

With well below range Ft4 and TSH over 10 she’s clinically hypothyroid and needs starting on levothyroxine

Essential to test vitamin levels and get coeliac blood test

She ONLY needs stop anything with biotin in

Exactly what vitamin supplements is she taking

[lovelab in reply to SlowDragon]

I'll have to check for her vitamins and get back to you.

[lovelab in reply to lovelab]

these are the vitamins she'a been taking.

vit ingedients

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to lovelab]

This is a multivitamin of very low dose. So low are the doses its probably doing nothing at all.

Highly recommend she gets her vitamin levels tested - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3.

[lovelab in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks. She was taking them for her hair ... We'll look in to a proper plan of action now.

[lovelab in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon, we have just had the new results in. She has appointment with GP tomorrow and will start her levothyroxine tomorrow morning. I asked her how she felt and she said ok. Even went for a run this mornging. Told her to perhaps stop sport for the moment. Her resting heart rate is about 49 . No vitamins done unfortunately. Will see if GP can get them done as well as Celiac.

TSH results etc

[tattybogle in reply to lovelab]

Crikey , i'm surprised she could get herself dressed with those T4/Tsh levels, let alone go for a run.

i suppose the fT3 level has been enough to keep things working for a while ? that or she's running on fumes / adrenaline.

it's remarkable how big a difference there can be between what the numbers are , and what effect they have on individuals.

[lovelab in reply to tattybogle]

One other thing she mentioned. She came off pill 6 months ago and still has not had a period. Do you think there is a link? She is taking precautions so definitely not pregnant.

[tattybogle in reply to lovelab]

yes , i think so , seem to remember loss of periods / lighter periods can be a sign of hyper in some.

[tattybogle in reply to tattybogle]

sorry , ignore that last reply about periods , i was thinking i was replying to someone else (who has subclinical hyper results) .

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to lovelab]

Take a copy of these results with you to give to GP

What dose Levothyroxine has GP prescribed

Standard starter dose of levothyroxine is 50mcg

Retest again in another 6-8 weeks

Likely to need several further increases in dose over coming months

Typically dose is increased slowly up in 25mcg steps until

Symptoms resolved

TSH below 2

Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50-60% through range

Vitamin levels all optimal

If she’s still eating gluten she needs coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial GFree

She needs vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels tested too

[lovelab in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you. Will relay all you have said

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Tell GP that she is taking biotin

GP may well be completely unaware of biotin issue with blood tests

Request new test to include TSH, Ft4, Ft3 ….vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Plus she should have had coeliac blood test at diagnosis of high thyroid antibodies…..if not been tested yet …get that done assuming she’s not already on Gluten free diet

stop all supplements containing biotin 5-7 days before ALL blood tests

If 2nd test….if TSH is over 10 she should be immediately started on 50mcg levothyroxine

Retest 6-8 weeks later

[lovelab in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks Slow Dragon. She didnt get coeliac done. I'll tell her and also full panel for thyroid and vits. I'll tell her again about stopping vitamins too. She didnt listen the first time so maybe now she might just listen! I'm quite sad if she is already at that stage of needing levothyroxine but so is life. She is only 25. She has a twin brother. He is now going to get himself tested. Thanks for all your support.

[Beingreal99]

I was told biotin doesn't chg thyroid hormones but it's in the test so if u take biotin few days b4 test it will throw off test results to be wrong