The bottom line: Biotin can only impact hair growth if there is an existing biotin deficiency. Taking extra biotin supplements does not lead to extra nutrient-based hair growth. 8 How much biotin should I take for hair? Be sure to let a healthcare professional know if you’re taking a biotin supplement prior to having lab work done. Are there side effects of taking biotin?

It’s possible to get all the biotin you need, simply by eating a healthy, balanced diet, as there’s a wide range of biotin-rich food out there (the examples above are literally the tip of the iceberg). Biotin deficiencies are rare and it’s impossible to have too much of it in your system because your body naturally gets rid of an excess biotin when you urinate.

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Most biotin supplements contain significantly higher amounts than the AI. The supplements on this list provide 830–33,333% of the DV for biotin. Fortunately, there’s no evidence that high doses are directly harmful ( 1). Taking too much biotin from supplements may cause falsely high or low thyroid hormone or vitamin D levels. For this reason, it’s important to notify your healthcare professional prior to having bloodwork done if you’re taking biotin or a hair, skin, and nails supplement ( 1, 13). How long does a biotin supplement stay in your system? Biotin supplements can also affect certain lab tests, such as those used to measure thyroid hormones or heart damage, potentially leading to false results. This could lead to the misdiagnosis of serious medical conditions, which could be dangerous and even deadly ( 1, 3).

While it’s available as a supplement, biotin is something you should only take if advised by your doctor. Most people get enough biotin through their regular diet. Third-party testing. It’s best to choose a supplement that has undergone third-party testing to ensure quality and purity. Many supplements on this list are third-party tested, and the rest are manufactured in CGMP certified facilities with in-house testing protocols. As a result, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before taking a biotin supplement.Another case showed that eating raw eggs — particularly the whites of the eggs — on a regular basis can also create a biotin deficiency. In this instance, the deficiency brought about a condition called biotin-responsive limb weakness. This condition mimics quadriplegia. While being deficient in biotin is considered to be rare, it can sometimes result in hair loss that can possibly be helped by taking biotin supplements. Again, make sure you speak to your GP first before taking biotin supplements. What are the side effects of biotin? Look, some people swear by biotin supplements, saying it lends their hair a swish and strengthens their nails. And that could well be the case. But the reality is: hard, scientific evidence proving their efficacy is inconclusive. The claims stem from the fact that a deficiency of the vitamin can cause hair loss and skin and nail issues. When it comes to this issue, the NHS states that 'You should be able to get all the biotin you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.' High-dose biotin supplements can also interfere with certain medical test results, so tell your healthcare provider if you’re taking them, advises Barth. Biotin supplements are most commonly used to promote healthy hair or nail growth. Some of the symptoms of biotin deficiency are hair loss, skin changes, and brittle nails ( 1).

If you’re planning on taking biotin supplements for hair loss or beard thinning, seek medical advice first to try and identify the root cause of the problem.Maybe you’re not worried about biotin deficiency but wonder whether a biotin supplement could help you get amazing hair. After all, many products advertise biotin as a hair growth booster. If you are planning on taking biotin for hair growth or beard growth, speak to your GP first, especially if you are experiencing hair loss. Seeking professional medical will help to diagnose the cause of your hair loss and recommend a suitable treatment. How long does biotin for hair growth take to work? Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that happens to be part of the Vitamin B family, which is what we have to thank for helping our bodies turn food into energy. 1 You can also take biotin in supplement form too, and the recommended intake for adults is between 30 and 100 micrograms (mcg) a day. Our hair, skin and nails all contain a basic protein called keratin. You may recall some haircare and skincare products being enriched with keratin? 7