Biotin deficiency

In the vitamin overview, biotin is classified as a B-complex vitamin, which is needed by the all organisms and which can’t be synthesized by all of them. These organisms also include bacteria, yeasts, molds, algae, and some plant species. Biotin can be very easily diluted in water.

Biotin deficiency

Even though it is a rare disorder, it can cause some severe consequences including even death. But, don’t be frightened, since it can happen only if left untreated for a long time. There are no specific factors that one needs to have in order to be biotin deficient, meaning that this may occur to all people, regardless of age, sex and race. This vitamin deficiency rarely occurs in healthy people because the daily requirement for this vitamin is very low and it is obtained through food. Biotin deficiency can affect a person who consumes raw egg whites for a long period of time (several months to year).

Causes

In this text we will provide you with some of the most frequent causes of biotin deficiency. As we have said above, a person who eats raw egg whites for a longer period of time can become biotin deficient. If a person is on a total parenteral nutrition without biotin supplementation, then it leads to biotin deficiency. Nowadays, all hospitals are aware of that fact and they include biotin in TPN nutrition. Long usage of some drugs can also lead to biotin deficiency and in this case, the drugs that were reported to be the main culprits for biotin deficiency are phenytoin, primidone, and carbamazepine. Some of the other causes are prolonged oral antibiotic therapy and genetic mutation that was recorder on a 7 months old baby.

Symptoms

Symptoms that indicate the initial phase of biotin deficiency include dry skin, seborrheic dermatitis, fungal infections, red rashes, brittle hair or partial or complete hair loss, although mild depression and change in the mental behavior can also appear. It is important to diagnose the deficiency of this vitamin in order not to avoid serious or even fatal outcomes. So if you notice any of these symptoms, consult your doctor so that he can react in a timely manner. Pregnant women should choose their supplements in consultation with their doctor. It would be good to know that biotin is found in yeast, wheat bran, bread, cooked eggs, cheese, cooked liver, chicken, pork, salmon, avocados, raspberries, artichokes and raw cauliflower. So, if you love this food, get into it, and if not, make yourself eat at least a little of it. There is the other solution and that is already made vitamin supplements that also contain biotin that you can buy.