Is it safe to take biotin (Vitamin B7) while pregnant?

Biotin Supplementation During Pregnancy

Biotin supplementation is safe during pregnancy, and pregnant women may actually benefit from higher biotin intake than the standard recommendation of 30 μg/day. 1, 2

Safety and Requirements

Biotin is considered a very safe supplement with no established upper limit (UL). According to the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines:

• No adverse effects have been shown for both oral and IV administration of biotin up to 5 mg/day for prolonged periods 1, 2
• The standard recommendation for biotin in pregnancy is 30 μg/day 2
• However, evidence suggests pregnant women may have higher biotin requirements 1

Evidence for Increased Biotin Needs in Pregnancy

Several studies indicate that pregnant women may benefit from additional biotin:

• Clinical trials suggest that biotin needs in pregnancy might be higher than current guidance 1
• In a study of 26 pregnant women, a 300 μg biotin supplementation decreased elevated urinary 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid (a marker of biotin deficiency) compared to placebo 3
• Pregnant women have been shown to excrete 69% more 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid compared to non-pregnant controls, suggesting reduced biotin status during pregnancy 4
• Serum biotin concentrations remain low throughout pregnancy from first to third trimester 5

Clinical Implications

Low biotin status during pregnancy has been associated with:

• Potential risk for fetal growth restriction 5
• Increased risk of preterm delivery 5
• Possible increased risk of birth defects (based on animal studies) 6

Recommendations for Biotin Supplementation

Based on the most recent evidence:

1. Biotin supplementation is safe during pregnancy
2. A prenatal vitamin containing biotin is appropriate for most pregnant women
3. Higher doses (up to 300 μg daily) may be beneficial, especially if there are signs of deficiency 3
4. Monitoring may be warranted in high-risk situations:
   • Women with history of bariatric surgery should have biotin levels checked every trimester 1
   • Those with malabsorption conditions may require higher doses (up to 10 mg/day) 1

Important Considerations

• Biotin deficiency symptoms include dermatitis, hair loss, seizures, and hypotonia 7
• Excessive biotin intake (>5 mg/day) can interfere with certain laboratory tests that use biotin-streptavidin technology, potentially causing erroneous results in hormone testing 6
• Women with increased risk of biotin deficiency include those with malabsorption disorders, bariatric surgery, or those taking certain medications

In summary, biotin supplementation during pregnancy is safe and may be beneficial, with evidence suggesting that pregnant women might need more than the standard recommended amount of 30 μg/day.