Do you routinely recommend biotin to your patients?
Approximately half (52%) of dermatologists do not recommend biotin to their patients. However, 29% do recommend it for hair and nail disorders.
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
Biotin is an essential cofactor for mammalian carboxylase enzymes that are involved in important metabolic pathways in humans. Biotin supplementation is likely unnecessary for most individuals, as biotin intake is likely sufficient in a Western diet. There are limited data on biotin supplementation to treat dermatologic conditions, especially in patients with normal biotin levels. In addition, a recent warning issued by the US Food and Drug Administration reported that consumption of biotin may interfere with laboratory tests. Therefore, biotin should not be routinely recommended to patients without sufficient evidence that it would benefit their condition (Lipner, 2018).
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