Biotin Overdose

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that was discovered in the early twentieth century. Also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, biotin is a member of B-complex family of vitamins. The health benefits of this vitamin are numerous. Not only does it help the body metabolize carbohydrates and amino acids, it also facilitates the conversion of fatty acids and glucose into energy. It is also referred to as coenzyme R. Being a coenzyme, it doesn't directly accelerate a biochemical reaction, but it binds with a protein to form an enzyme. Studies have revealed that vitamin B7 helps in preventing the buildup of fats in the liver and kidneys. It is also required for manufacturing genetic material. It also aids in cell division. It is required for keeping hair, nails and skin in good condition. It wouldn't be wrong to say that this vitamin plays a vital role in maintaining the overall health of our body. Milk, cheese, egg yolk, legumes, whole grains, peanuts, salmon, organ meats, seafood, bananas, almonds, walnuts, cauliflower and mushrooms are some of the dietary sources of this vitamin. Though our body's needs might be easily fulfilled if we follow a balanced diet, one can take multivitamin pills or individual biotin supplements to avert a deficiency. However, one must take these supplements under medical supervision. An overdose can sometimes have serious repercussions on one's health which is why one must comply with the guidelines regarding the dosage.

Biotin Dosage

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of this vitamin for young children is about 5 to 12 micrograms per day, whereas the daily dosage can be between 20 to 30 micrograms for adults. The dosage for pregnant women and lactating mothers is about 30 to 35 micrograms per day. The therapeutic range can be between 50 micrograms to 15 milligrams. Doses of up to 2.5 milligrams are often prescribed for treating hair and nail problems. If one's diet includes egg yolk, meat, dairy products and green vegetables, one may not suffer from a deficiency. Though a deficiency is quite rare, intestinal disorders that interfere with the absorption of nutrients can make one susceptible to a deficiency. Friendly bacteria that live in the digestive tract also help in the synthesis of biotin. This process could also be adversely affected due to prolonged use of antibiotics and certain drugs. Consumption of raw egg whites on a daily basis can interfere with the absorption of this vitamin, thereby causing a deficiency. A person suffering from this deficiency is likely to experience hair loss, skin problems, brittle nails, loss of appetite, lethargy, low metabolism, muscle pain, depression, insomnia and lowered immunity. One can alleviate the symptoms by consuming its dietary sources or by taking supplements as per the prescribed dosage. This vitamin is well-tolerated when it is taken as per the prescribed dosage. There are no reported cases of adverse drug reactions or biotin toxicity. Since this vitamin is water-soluble in nature, it can be flushed out of the system through urine. Though a vitamin B7 overdose is rare and is quite unlikely to cause serious complications, side effects could be seen in people who have been overdosing on biotin supplements for a long time

Effects of an Overdose

A slight overdose is very unlikely to cause any serious side effects. However, people suffering from health problems such as seizure disorders, liver disease or kidney problems are more likely to experience certain side effects due to an overdose. In rare cases, one may experience symptoms such as skin eruptions, slowed insulin release or an increase in blood sugar levels. Women must be extremely careful about the dosage of vitamin B7 supplements or any other nutritional supplements during the course of pregnancy. A few animal studies have been conducted to ascertain the consequences of overdosing on biotin. One of the studies was conducted on pregnant rats. These rats were given high amounts of biotin. The study revealed that a biotin overdose caused the placenta to shrink, thereby increasing the chances of miscarriage. However, these animal studies cannot be used to establish a link between an overdose and miscarriage in pregnant women. Though there isn't enough evidence to prove that high doses can cause toxicity, it is advisable to take these supplements as per the recommended dosage. Since there is a lack of evidence on this subject, one must refrain from taking this vitamin in excess for prolonged periods of time.

Though there is a lack of adequate research on the effects of an overdose of vitamin B7, that doesn't mean that you can pop these pills without the approval of your doctor. Our body's needs can be easily met if one follows a healthy diet. So improve your dietary habits to lower the risk of a deficiency. However, if you ever need to take these supplements, take them as per the prescribed dosage.