Biotin Side Effects-Is it Safe or Dangerous?

Is biotin safe for use? What are the  side effects? Does it cause weight gain? Taking too much  especially 10000mcg and 5000mcg biotin may come with certain adverse side effects even though the supplement is not known to have any. Here’s a lowdown on the risks and dangers of using biotin on skin, for weight loss and even for hair growth.

Is biotin safe?-Dangers & Safety

The US Food and Drug Administration [FDA] reports that, “biotin is generally considered safe and well tolerated when taken orally at recommended doses.” Side effects from biotin are uncommon. However, some people can develop adverse effects while using these supplements.

There are however factors to consider before using this supplements. Biotin is not stored in the body and is easily removed from the body via urine.

Therefore, it cannot be stored to toxic levels in the body. Currently, there is not enough information to determine the appropriate safety guidelines when using biotin. Keep in mind that, natural products are not always safe and dosages can be very important.

How can biotin be used safely?

A doctor may prescribe biotin for people with biotin deficiency or to prevent deficiency in those at risk. In addition, some people take biotin supplements for this reason. Many people take biotin supplements on their own in hopes of treating hair loss, cradle cap in infants, and brittle nails. When consulting your doctor for biotin supplements, be sure to let him know the following:

• If undergoing kidney dialysis
• If you take alcohol or smoke cigarettes
• If on anti-seizure medication like phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine.
• If you are on/or have been on any long term course of antibiotics

Some people also take biotin supplements to treat diabetes and nerve pain associated with diabetes, although there is not much evidence to support this type of use.

Biotin is safe to use. It is however important to consult the doctor before using any of these vitamins and capsules to rule out risks of developing unintended effects especially if pregnant or breastfeeding. The maximum recommended dose is usually 2mg/day but maximum dose required for full effect and for how long is unknown.

The effectiveness of biotin with increased doses has not been verified yet leaving room for one to make a decision on frequency and how much can actually work for you.

There are no age limits when it comes to using biotin. However, there are recommended adequate intake amounts for each age. Even as one tries to supplement biotin, it is also important to ensure that you conserve that which the body makes naturally. Smoking, alcohol and eating more than two egg whites a day can lower biotin levels.

Read the following precautions to help you use biotin safely:

• Take adequate amounts of water to help in absorption
• If taking this for the first time, start with a minimum dose and increase gradually
• Take these vitamins with a proper meal in either the morning or evening
• Taking vitamins just like any other medicines for a long time makes you dependent on them
• It is advisable to take biotin with other multivitamins to avoid imbalance

Too much Biotin-10000mcg & 5000mcg

Biotin 5000mcg just like other biotin strengths is generally well tolerated. There are no specific side effects related to one strength of biotin. Side effects are uncommon. Even at higher doses, there are no confirmed reports of any side effects arising from the use of this vitamin.

Extra biotin is easily excreted in urine and therefore it cannot be stored in the body to toxic levels. Doctors say that side effects from biotin 5000mcg are more like allergic reactions and this depends on one’s sensitivity to it. Very sensitive people can experience,

• Skin eruptions
• Itchiness of the skin
• Rash and
• In extreme cases, eosinophilic pleuropericardial effusion.

May increase the frequency of how many times you go for a short-call. Too much biotin is associated with more urination
Too much may lead diarrhea and stomach cramps
Other side effects with no substantial evidence include;

• Nausea
• Increase Blood Glucose Levels
• Acute Respiratory Problems

Pills

Apart from those discussed above, there are no known biotin side effects. Biotin is a safe vitamin and not likely to cause adverse effects. Nevertheless, it is advisable to talk to your doctor before taking any biotin pills or vitamins for hair growth.

The University of Washington Medical Center notes that some biotin users “may have side effects such as mild nausea, stomach cramping, or diarrhea.”

 Skin Acne

While biotin can be beneficial, taking too much of it can result to unwanted effects on skin. This can be associated to the fact that biotin has a great influence on your metabolic functions. Just as different people will react to medication differently, the reception and absorption of biotin is also different.

Even with no documented side effects, many people report to have experienced unwanted effects on the skin after using biotin for a long time. These include skin rash and breakouts (acne). Biotin increases sebum production. This is actually, what helps in moisturizing your skin.

However, increased sebum is likely to increase the emergence of cystic acne on chin and jaw line. To avoid this, doctors recommend that you begin regime at a lower dose with gradual increase as this gives your body time to adapt to the supplements. Other biotin side effects are increased growth of facial hair and fine body hairs, which can be unpleasant especially for women.

 Weight Gain

Does taking biotin make you gain weight? Some individuals claim that they have gained weight after taking biotin for a while. Some have claimed that biotin 5000mcg has made them gain weight…Are all these claims true? Well, this may be true or not true. The fact is, our bodies react or respond to different substances not in the same manner. To others it may cause weight gain while to others it may not. The claims are all based on anecdotes or hearsay.
However, according to WebMD, there is no research that biotin causes weight gain.  Weight gain is typically caused by a calorie imbalance and certain medications, but not vitamins.

Female

For women, the effects are observed during pregnancy. It is thought that high doses of this vitamin supplement may lead to a miscarriage.

It is important to note that a doctor should be consulted in cases of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Biotin Adverse Effects

This vitamin is well tolerated if taken in recommended doses. Still, there are no cases of people developing adverse effects on taking biotin supplements.  People undergoing kidney dialysis may require extra biotin. Biotin is also known to reduce the efficiency of anti-seizure drugs and those that lower cholesterol.

The Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University reports one case of “life-threatening eosinophilic pleuropericardial effusion in an elderly woman who took a combination of 10,000 mcg/day of biotin and 300 mg/day of pantothenic acid for two months.” It is unclear whether the adverse side effects of biotin condition were due to the combination of the two vitamins or another factor entirely.

Above are the biotin  side effects we could gather, probably there are other side effects you may be aware of that I did not discuss. Do feel free to add it below in the comment section.You contribution will be highly appreciated. So, from what you have read, What are the missing  Biotin Side Effects ?

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