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1392153 tn?1428624323

biotin

I keep a food diary...this diary also keeps track of my micronutrients...my biotin levels never show anything..its as if I never eat anything containing biotin...I 'm aware of foods containing biotin and I eat all of the foods containing biotin...why are my levels 0?...should I be taking a supplement?...I have a very slow metabolism...its not the result of an underactive thyroid ( which I have and am taking supplements for)..my TSH levels were tested the other week and they are normal...I am still continuously tired...could it be for lack of biotin?
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1339332 tn?1329854366
Hi Evadee,

I suspect that your biotin level isn't really low. Biotin deficiency is rare since we don't need a lot of it, it's found in many foods, and our body "recycles" what we have. Your biotin may LOOK falsely low on your micronutrient tracker because many of the food product labels (most in fact) don't list the biotin content so it's not entered into the data base for the food diary. It's in the food, but not the data base so it doesn't post on the micronutrient trackers. I find that many of my micronutrient trackers claim that I am low, even in nutrients I know I'm getting, but it is just because the biotin hasn't been entered for the food items and thus can't post in the tracker section. I pasted some excerpts from a couple of webpages that give info re: biotin below. The links are included with each entry in case you wish to read the entire entries.

#1:
SOURCE: http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsa1/a/Biotin.htm
Biotin is a B vitamin that's needed for the formation of fatty acids and glucose, which are essential for the production of energy. It also helps with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Biotin is found naturally in food. Good dietary sources of biotin include brewer's yeast, nutritional yeast, liver, cauliflower, salmon, bananas, carrots, egg yolks, sardines, legumes and mushrooms.

Biotin deficiency isn't common, unless you frequently eat a lot of raw egg white, which contains a protein that blocks the absorption of biotin. Genetic disorder of biotin deficiency, infant seborrheic dermatitis, surgical removal of the stomach, and excessive alcohol consumption may increase a person's requirement for biotin.

Biotin deficiency may lead to skin rash, hair loss, high cholesterol and heart problems.
       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#2:
SOURCE:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-biotin.html
Biotin is an essential water-soluble B vitamin. The name biotin is taken from the Greek word  bios  meaning "life." Without biotin, certain enzymes do not work properly and various complications can occur involving the skin, intestinal tract, and nervous system. Metabolic problems including very low blood sugars between meals, high blood ammonia, or acidic blood (acidosis) can occur. Death is theoretically possible, although no clear cases have been reported. Recent studies suggest that biotin is also necessary for processes on the genetic level in cells (DNA replication and gene expression).


Biotin deficiency is extremely rare. This is because daily biotin requirements are relatively small, biotin is found in many foods, and the body is able to recycle much of the biotin it has already used.

As for being chronically tired? I only wish it was as easy as taking biotin (or ANY supplement/magic pill)! Should I ever discover a cure, I shall share it with you. Perhaps we can market it to the masses and become so rich that we can hire people to exercise FOR us whilst we enjoy more pleasureable past-times!
Helpful - 1
1392153 tn?1428624323
info most enlighting...truly appreciate this info....thank you very, very much...sounds like you've done your homework...Sky...YOU are a sweetie...lol  evadeelee
Helpful - 0

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