Should I discontinue my multivitamin (containing 10,000 micrograms (mcg) of biotin) before undergoing lab work?

Discontinuing Biotin Supplements Before Laboratory Testing

Yes, you should discontinue your multivitamin containing 10,000 mcg of biotin at least 48 hours before undergoing any laboratory tests to prevent potential interference with test results. 1

How Biotin Interferes with Lab Tests

Biotin can significantly interfere with many common laboratory tests because:

• Many commercial immunoassays use the biotin-streptavidin interaction as part of their analyte capture mechanism 1
• The interference can cause either falsely high or falsely low results depending on the specific test design 2
• At 10,000 mcg (10 mg), your biotin dose is substantially higher than the recommended daily intake of approximately 30 μg 3

Affected Laboratory Tests

Biotin interference can affect numerous critical laboratory tests, including:

• Thyroid function tests (TSH, FT4, FT3) - can mimic hyperthyroidism 2
• Cardiac markers (troponin, Pro-BNP) - critical for diagnosing heart attacks 1, 2
• Hormone tests (testosterone, estradiol, LH, FSH, progesterone) 2
• Pregnancy tests (serum and urine Beta hCG) 1
• Tumor markers 1
• Other tests: Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, PTH, ferritin 2
• Serological markers for HIV, hepatitis B and C 2

Recommended Protocol Before Lab Testing

1. Timing of discontinuation: Stop taking your biotin-containing multivitamin at least 48 hours before any laboratory testing 1
2. Inform healthcare providers: Always notify your healthcare provider and laboratory staff about your biotin supplementation 4
3. Consider alternative testing: If you cannot stop biotin (which is not your case), ask about alternative testing methods less susceptible to biotin interference 2

Common Pitfalls and Caveats

• Many patients are unaware they are taking biotin, as it's often included in supplements labeled for "hair, skin, and nails" 5
• Nearly half of physicians don't ask patients to discontinue biotin prior to laboratory testing 5
• The combination of falsely lowered TSH with falsely elevated FT4/FT3 can mimic hyperthyroidism, potentially leading to misdiagnosis of Graves' disease 3, 2
• The interference is platform-dependent, meaning some laboratory equipment is more susceptible than others 2

When to Resume Your Supplement

You can safely resume your biotin supplement after your laboratory tests are completed. There is no need to wait for results, as the interference occurs during the testing process itself, not in your body.

While biotin supplementation is generally considered safe, be aware that 10,000 mcg is significantly higher than the recommended daily intake of 30 μg. This high dose might be appropriate for specific medical conditions but is excessive for general supplementation purposes.