Biotin During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?

An unborn baby is completely dependent on their mother for nutrients and vitamins, which is why pregnant women are advised to follow a healthy diet. Expectant mothers should ensure that their food chart includes all the essential nutrients and vitamins that are required to sustain a pregnancy. One such essential vitamin is biotin. It is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin which plays a major role in the conversion of food to energy. Biotin is required to form the enzymes that help in breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. This is why doctors advise pregnant women to take essential supplements like biotin and folic acid tablets during pregnancy.

Can You Take Biotin During Pregnancy?

Biotin, also known as vitamin H or B-7, plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails, as well as supporting the body’s metabolism. While biotin is commonly taken, many pregnant women wonder, ‘Is biotin safe during pregnancy?’ Yes, the intake of prescribed biotin is safe during pregnancy. Supplemental biotin can help cure the deficiency of biotin, but too much of it might increase the chances of a miscarriage. Studies conducted on animals show that biotin is teratogenic and may result in a miscarriage. Therefore, you must consult your doctor before you start taking any supplemental biotin.

Why Do You Need Biotin During Pregnancy?

The advantages of biotin for pregnant women are manifold. Biotin helps in the conversion of food to energy. It is a coenzyme which is required for the metabolism of glucose and amino acids. But since it is soluble in water, the extra biotin simply passes through the urine. It is advised to consume biotin when pregnant because it helps in making nails and bones strong and also aids in hair growth. It also helps in keeping the liver, skin, and nervous system healthy. It helps in regulating the blood sugar levels. However, the consumption of biotin while pregnant should not be excessive.

Biotin Deficiency During Pregnancy

Many expectant women suffer from a biotin deficiency because their body breaks down biotin more rapidly during pregnancy. According to studies, 33% – 50% of expectant women are mildly deficient in biotin, and this occurs mostly during late pregnancy. In a 2020 study, it was found that low levels of serum biotin in pregnancy have been associated with preterm labour or babies born small for their gestational age (SGA).

Biotin deficiency can be caused due to several health issues, including:

• Increased risk of seborrheic dermatitis
• Poor nail and hair health
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Diabetes
• Reduced appetite
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Depression

What Is the Recommended Dosage for Pregnant Women?

Expectant women should have an intake of at least 25-30 mcg of biotin per day. The symptoms of toxicity do not occur at this dosage. Biotin supplements of this dosage might help an expectant woman prevent the issues caused due to biotin deficiency.

What Are the Food Sources of Biotin?

Some biotin-rich food sources are as follows:

1. Dairy Products and Eggs

Egg yolk is said to be rich in biotin. Dairy products like milk, cheese, etc., also have good amounts of biotin. These food sources can be easily incorporated into your regular diet.

2. Nuts and Grains

Nuts and whole grain products like pecans, walnuts, peanuts and almonds are considered to be rich in this vitamin.

3. Fish and Meat

 Sardines, organ meats, and salmon are considered to be rich in the concentration of biotin.

4. Legumes

Black-eyed peas, soybeans, and other legumes are also rich sources of biotin.

5. Fruits and Veggies

Many fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of this vitamin. Avocadoes, cauliflower, raspberries, mushrooms, Swiss chard, carrots, cucumbers, onions etc., have a good concentration of biotin.

Can Biotin Cause Birth Defects?

In some cases, a deficiency of biotin in pregnant women may also lead to birth defects. In a study conducted on animals, it was proven that the deficiency of biotin might result in birth defects in animals, particularly issues like cleft palate, skeletal deformities, cleft lip, etc. It is possible for these effects to show up in humans as well.

FAQs

1. Which Source of Biotin Is Richest?

Cooked eggs and well-cooked beef liver are one of the richest sources of biotin, ideal for pregnant women.

2. Can Biotin Cause False Negative Pregnancy Test?

Biotin has the potential to impact hCG levels in laboratory analyses. Specifically, women who are taking biotin supplements might experience inaccurately low levels of hCG in blood tests. This can lead to incorrect outcomes on both at-home urine pregnancy tests and clinical assessments. Although elevated hCG levels serve as an early sign of pregnancy, they also play a role in detecting conditions like miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Always make sure to discuss any supplements or medications you’re taking with your healthcare provider, especially during pregnancy, to ensure the most reliable and valid outcomes.

3. Can Biotin Improve Fertility?

While we do know through limited and uncontrolled studies that biotin deficiency can decrease fertility in animals, it is little to nothing known about the effect of biotin deficiency in humans. the intake of biotin in pregnancy. if you are planning pregnancy, your doctor may recommend prenatal supplements like biotin to compensate for the deficiency. 

Taking biotin supplements is considered safe during pregnancy, but only if taken in recommended amounts. You should take a doctor’s advice to find out if you need to take biotin supplements or not. Excess of biotin during pregnancy may cause several complications and might also lead to a miscarriage.

References/Resources:

1. Biotin; NIH; https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/

2. Landenberger. A, Kabil. H, Harshman. L. G, Zempleni. J; Biotin deficiency decreases life span and fertility but increases stress resistance in Drosophila melanogaster; J Nutr Biochem.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15542350/ October 2004

3. Biotin and lab tests: Beauty supplement poses risks for pregnant women; UT Southwestern Medical Center; https://utswmed.org/medblog/biotin-risks-postpartum-hair-loss/

4. Biotin – Vitamin B7; Harvard T. H. Chan; https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/biotin-vitamin-b7/

5. Ichihara. Y, Suga. K, Fukui. M, Yonetani. N, et al.; Serum biotin level during pregnancy is associated with fetal growth and preterm delivery; J Med Invest.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32378602/; 2020

6. Mock. D. M, Quirk. J. G, Mock. N. I; Marginal biotin deficiency during normal pregnancy; Am J Clin Nutr; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1426254/; February 2002

7. Roles of Vitamin B in Pregnancy; American Pregnancy Associaton; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-health-wellness/vitamin-b-pregnancy/

Also Read:

Prenatal Vitamins during Pregnancy
Safe and Unsafe Pregnancy Supplements
Taking Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) in Pregnancy