부산대학교 도서관

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years based on limited evidence that it enhances hair, skin, and nail growth. Due to its water-soluble properties, biotin is excreted through the urinary system and is considered nontoxic even at large doses. However, a high concentration of biotin in blood can interfere with laboratory tests that use technology dependent on biotin-streptavidin interactions. These tests include immunoassays used to investigate or monitor cardiac disease, endocrine disorders, malignancies, anemias, and infectious diseases. Increasingly, cases of erroneous laboratory results due to biotin use have been reported in the medical literature. The results can be falsely low or falsely high, and in either case can lead to patient misdiagnosis and mismanagement. Mitigation is possible when biotin interference is identified. Patients can be advised to discontinue the supplement before follow-up testing or physicians can order an alternative testing method. While laboratory professionals have been aware of biotin interference for many years, greater awareness among health care providers in general is needed to ensure that biotin supplementation is identi- fied and mitigation strategies are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]