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Biotin, also called vitamin B7, is a water-soluble B vitamin found naturally in foods and sold in dietary supplements. It acts as a cofactor for five carboxylase enzymes involved in fatty acid, glucose, and amino acid metabolism. True biotin deficiency is rare in healthy people eating a mixed diet.
read more about biotin ...Biotin attaches to carboxylase enzymes that carry out metabolic reactions involving fatty acids, glucose, and amino acids. These enzymes include acetyl-CoA carboxylases, pyruvate carboxylase, propionyl-CoA carboxylase, and methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase. Biotin also participates in gene regulation and cell signaling.
The adequate intake for adults age 19 and older is 30 micrograms per day. The adequate intake during pregnancy is also 30 micrograms daily, while breastfeeding adults need 35 micrograms daily. Food sources include eggs, salmon, meat, seeds, nuts, and selected vegetables. Most people obtain adequate biotin through diet.
Biotin deficiency is uncommon. People with biotinidase deficiency have impaired recycling of biotin and need lifelong oral biotin treatment. Chronic alcohol exposure is associated with lower biotin status. Pregnancy can also be associated with marginal biotin deficiency, though the clinical meaning of these changes remains uncertain.
High supplemental biotin intake can interfere with certain laboratory assays and produce incorrect results. FDA has warned about interference with some troponin tests, which can produce falsely low results. Other affected assays can include selected thyroid and hormone tests. Patients should tell clinicians and laboratory staff about biotin supplements before blood testing.
Yes. Biotin is the water-soluble B vitamin commonly called vitamin B7.
No. Biotin deficiency is rare in healthy people who eat a mixed diet.
The adequate intake for adults age 19 and older is 30 micrograms per day.
Yes. High supplemental intake can interfere with certain laboratory tests and produce incorrect results, including falsely low results in some troponin assays.
Biotin. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Biotin. Date Accessed September 16, 2026.
Biotin. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554493/. Date Accessed September 16, 2026.
Biotin - Consumer Fact Sheet. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-Consumer/. Date Accessed September 16, 2026.
Biotin - Health Professional Fact Sheet. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/. Date Accessed September 16, 2026.
Biotin Interference with Troponin Lab Tests - Assays Subject to Biotin Interference. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/biotin-interference-troponin-lab-tests-assays-subject-biotin-interference. Date Accessed September 16, 2026.