Supplements with 7,500 micrograms of biotin contain way more than the adequate intake level for biotin, which is 30 micrograms per day. Although biotin is well-tolerated even at very high doses, deficiencies of this nutrient are rare, and you can get many of the same benefits by taking a lower dose. There's also potential for nutrient and medication interactions, so check with your doctor before taking biotin supplements.
Biotin Use
You need biotin -- a B-complex vitamin -- for proper metabolism and nervous system function, as well as for keeping your liver, eyes, skin and hair healthy. Bacteria in your intestines produce some biotin, making it relatively uncommon for people to be deficient in this nutrient. Nuts, beans, whole grains, cooked eggs, sardines, bananas, mushrooms and cauliflower all provide biotin.
Pregnant women, people experiencing rapid weight loss, malnourished individuals and those on long-term tube feeding may develop biotin deficiencies and need supplemental biotin. Eating a lot of raw eggs can also lead to biotin deficiencies.
Medication Interactions
Biotin supplements may be helpful if you're taking certain medications that interfere with biotin absorption. These include seizure medications and certain antibiotics.
There is also a chance, however, that biotin could interact with some medications and potentially increase the risk for side effects. Affected medications include those for schizophrenia, muscle relaxation, depression, arrhythmia, high blood pressure, dementia, respiratory illnesses and migraines.
Potential Health Benefits
A combination of biotin and chromium may help people with type-2 diabetes control their blood sugar, and limited evidence suggests biotin may help improve the condition of your hair and nails, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. There is also a small amount of evidence pointing to potential benefits in limiting diabetic nerve pain, notes MedlinePlus. Further research is necessary to verify these effects, however, because the evidence for these benefits is still preliminary and conflicting.
Potential Considerations
Because all the B-complex vitamins work closely together, taking very high amounts of one, such as 7,500 micrograms of biotin, may interfere with the absorption of other B vitamins. For example, biotin and pantothenic acid compete for absorption, so taking high-dose biotin may increase your risk for a pantothenic acid deficiency.
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, so you may be wasting your money buying such a high-dose supplement. Any biotin over and above what the body can use right away can't be stored for later use and will be excreted in your urine.
