Biotina interviene con labs...

FDA Updates Warning on Biotin Interfering with Lab Results

By Kelly Young

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM

The FDA is reminding healthcare providers and patients that the dietary supplement biotin (vitamin B7) can interfere with lab tests, including those for troponin.

The agency first issued a warning in 2017. Since then, the FDA has continued receiving reports that biotin interference is resulting in falsely low troponin results. Some developers of lab tests have taken steps to account for biotin interference, but others have not. The FDA is calling out the specific manufacturers who have not yet addressed the interference issue (see second link below).

Adults' daily recommended allowance for biotin is 0.03 mg. Some supplements — which are marketed for improved hair, skin, and nails — contain 650 times the recommended daily allowance. Clinicians may also recommend high doses for conditions like multiple sclerosis.

FDA MedWatch safety alert (Free)

FDA list of lab tests still subject to biotin interference (Free)

Background: Physician's First Watch coverage of 2017 alert (Free)