vitamin · for muscle cramps
Biotin
Vitamin B7/vitamin H, a water-soluble B-vitamin serving as a coenzyme for carboxylase enzymes. Supports keratin production for healthy hair, skin, and nails, and assists in macronutrient metabolism.
How strong is the research?
Not verified evidence
Different group studied
1 paper read, 1 supporting.
Tested as: Oral biotin 1 mg daily
Who was studied: 14 people on dialysis with kidney failure. They cramped often during dialysis. Their biotin levels were already normal.
We found 1 study on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.
How much to take
1 mg
Before you take it
- No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been established by NIH ODS/FNB for biotin. The FNB concluded that no human toxicity from high biotin intake has been documented; doses up to 200 mg/day orally have been studied without adverse direct effects. No UL can be derived from current evidence.
- Biotin-streptavidin immunoassay interference: At supplemental doses of 5 mg (5,000 mcg) and above, biotin causes clinically significant false laboratory results in immunoassays using biotin-streptavidin capture technology. Affected tests include cardiac troponin (falsely LOW — the FDA received one patient death report from a missed cardiac diagnosis), TSH (falsely suppressed, mimicking thyrotoxicosis or falsely elevated), free T4, free T3, and sex hormone panels. The FDA issued safety communications in November 2017 and November 2019. Even a single 10 mg dose can interfere with thyroid function tests administered within 24 hours. Patients must disclose biotin use to clinicians before any blood draw and should wait at least 8 hours (up to 72 hours for some assays) after last dose before blood collection.
- Anticonvulsant-biotin depletion: Carbamazepine, primidone, phenytoin, and phenobarbital — after at least 1 year of treatment — significantly lower serum biotin levels by increasing biotin catabolism and inhibiting intestinal biotin absorption. Patients on these anticonvulsants may have higher biotin requirements.
- Raw egg white consumption depletes biotin: avidin in raw (not cooked) egg whites binds dietary biotin in the GI tract and prevents absorption. Sustained consumption of raw eggs can induce biotin deficiency.
When to take it
Best taken: morning