Biotin Supplements: The Hidden Risk to Your Medical Test results
If you’re one of the millions of people popping biotin gummies for stronger hair and nails, you might want to pause before your next medical test. A viral TikTok video by anatomy teacher and science enthusiast Josh Cottle (@scibodytherapy) has sparked widespread concern, revealing that high doses of biotin can skew the results of critical medical tests, including pregnancy and thyroid assessments.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is naturally found in foods like eggs, bananas, and milk.Though, in recent years, biotin supplements have surged in popularity, with many products containing over 2,500mcg—far exceeding the recommended daily intake of 30mcg. While these supplements are marketed for thier hair and nail benefits, their impact on medical diagnostics is less widely known.
How Biotin Affects Pregnancy Tests
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“Turns out that biotin actually suppresses a lot of different hormonal tests,” Cottle explains in his video, which has garnered over 253,000 views. One of the most alarming effects is on pregnancy tests.Biotin can suppress levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), the hormone that rises during pregnancy.According to a 2018 study, this suppression can cause the control line on a pregnancy test to disappear, leading to a false negative result.
“That means it may be read as negative, when it’s actually positive,” Cottle warns. this revelation has left many viewers stunned. One commenter wrote, “That is the EXACT supplement, and you scared me into thinking that the BIOTIN was growing a child (not active by choice) don’t scare me like that.”
Beyond Pregnancy Tests: Biotin’s Broader Impact
Pregnancy tests aren’t the only medical assessments at risk.cottle highlights that biotin can also interfere with thyroid hormone tests (TSH, T3, and T4), potentially leading to misdiagnoses or incorrect medication dosages. Additionally, biotin can skew Troponin-T tests, which are crucial for diagnosing heart attacks, by producing lower-than-actual readings.
“That’s bad because it could delay critical treatment,” Cottle emphasizes.
What You Need to Know
To help readers navigate this issue, here’s a swift summary of key points:
| Key Details | Details |
|———————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Recommended Daily Biotin Intake | 30mcg |
| Common Supplement Dosage | over 2,500mcg |
| Affected Medical Tests | pregnancy tests, thyroid hormone tests, troponin-T tests |
| Potential Risks | False negative pregnancy results, misdiagnosis, delayed treatment |
What Should You Do?
If you’re taking biotin supplements, it’s crucial to inform your healthcare provider before undergoing any medical tests.As Cottle advises, “Biotin can mess with all sorts of lab tests. This is why it’s so critically important to tell your doctor if you are taking supplements.”
for those relying on biotin for its beauty benefits, consider sticking to the recommended daily intake or exploring natural sources like eggs and bananas. And if you’re planning a trip to Costco for your next biotin haul, you might want to think twice—your health could depend on it.This revelation serves as a reminder that even the most popular supplements can have unintended consequences. Stay informed, stay safe, and always consult your doctor before starting or stopping any supplement regimen.
The supplement industry has long been a source of controversy, with critics pointing to its lack of regulation and potential risks to consumers.One such risk, highlighted by TikTok creator and health expert Cottle (@scibodytherapy), is the impact of biotin supplements on lab results. In a viral video,Cottle warns that biotin—a popular supplement for hair,skin,and nail health—can interfere with a wide range of medical tests,potentially leading to false readings and misdiagnoses.
“Biotin can mess with all sorts of lab tests,” Cottle says. “This is why it’s so important to tell your doctor if you are taking supplements.”
How Biotin Affects Lab Results
Biotin,also known as vitamin B7,is naturally found in foods like eggs,liver,and brewer’s yeast. however, many people take biotin supplements in much higher doses than what’s found in food. According to Cottle, these high doses can skew lab results, including tests for:
- Troponin (an indicator of heart attack severity)
- Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
- Thyroid function (T3, T4, TSH)
- Vitamin levels (folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D)
- Other markers like cortisol, ferritin, and parathyroid hormone
“My fingers are crossed because I hope a doctor or nurse told you this along the way,” Cottle says. “But it doesn’t always come up.”
Cottle emphasizes that the issue lies primarily with supplements, not biotin-rich foods. “In order to get this from food, you’d have to be eating a metric crap ton of liver or brewer’s yeast,” he explains.
Why Aren’t Supplements More Strictly Regulated?
cottle’s warnings have sparked outrage among viewers, many of whom question why the supplement industry isn’t more tightly regulated.
“I hate how unregulated the supplement industry is. They won’t tell you this if they don’t have to,” one viewer writes.
Another asks, “Why and how are they allowed to sell these?”
In response, Cottle explains, “FDA does not regulate supplements because supplement companies lobbied HARD to stay unregulated.”
While supplements aren’t fully unregulated, they aren’t held to the same standards as pharmaceutical drugs. According to the FDA’s guide on dietary supplements, “Unlike drugs that must be proven safe and effective for their intended use before marketing, there are no provisions in the law for FDA to approve dietary supplements for safety before they reach the consumer.”
This means that supplement companies aren’t required to prove their products are safe or effective before selling them. They also aren’t obligated to include warnings about potential side effects or interactions.
The FDA’s Role in Supplement Safety
Despite the lack of pre-market approval, the FDA has taken some steps to address the risks associated with biotin. In 2017, the agency issued a safety communication warning consumers and healthcare providers about the potential for biotin to interfere with lab tests.
Cottle’s concerns are also supported by research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which highlights the underrecognized risks of biotin supplementation.
Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know
| Key Point | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Biotin’s Impact on Lab Tests | Can cause false readings for troponin,hormones,thyroid function,and more.|
| Supplement Regulation | Supplements aren’t FDA-approved; companies aren’t required to prove safety. |
| FDA Warning | Issued a 2017 safety communication about biotin’s effects on lab results. |
| What You Can Do | Always inform your doctor if you’re taking supplements, especially biotin.|
Final Thoughts
The supplement industry’s lack of regulation poses critically important risks to consumers, especially when it comes to products like biotin that can interfere with critical medical tests. While the FDA has issued warnings, the responsibility ultimately falls on consumers to stay informed and communicate openly with their healthcare providers.As Cottle puts it, “This is why it’s so important to tell your doctor if you are taking supplements.”
For more information on dietary supplements and their regulation, visit the FDA’s official guide.
Have you experienced issues with supplements or lab tests? Share your story in the comments below.Awkward Moments: How TikTok’s Viral Soundtrack Captured the Internet’s Attention
The internet is no stranger to viral trends, but few have captured the collective creativity quite like TikTok’s Awkward Moments soundtrack by AstroMusic. This catchy tune has become the backdrop for countless videos, encapsulating the humor and relatability of everyday awkwardness. As the trend continues to grow, The Daily Dot reached out to Cottle, the creator behind the viral sound, for further comment via email and TikTok direct message.
The Awkward Moments soundtrack has resonated deeply with TikTok users, who have used it to highlight everything from cringe-worthy social interactions to hilariously relatable mishaps. The track’s upbeat yet slightly off-kilter vibe perfectly complements the platform’s penchant for humor and self-deprecation.
For those looking to stay ahead of the curve in internet culture, the Daily Dot offers a daily breakdown of the best (and worst) the web has to offer. sign up for their webcrawlr newsletter here to get the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox.
Why Awkward Moments Works
The success of Awkward Moments lies in its universal appeal. Whether it’s a clumsy moment at work or an embarrassing encounter at a party, the soundtrack provides a lighthearted way to laugh at life’s imperfections. TikTok users have embraced the sound, creating a ripple effect that has propelled it to viral status.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Soundtrack | Awkward Moments by AstroMusic |
| Platform | TikTok |
| Trend | Viral videos highlighting relatable awkward moments |
| Engagement | Users create content using the sound, driving its popularity |
| Newsletter | Stay updated with The Daily Dot’s webcrawlr |
As the Awkward Moments trend continues to evolve, it’s clear that TikTok remains a powerhouse for viral content. The platform’s ability to turn everyday experiences into shared moments of laughter and connection is unparalleled.
For more insights into the latest internet trends, don’t forget to subscribe to The Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter. Whether you’re a casual observer or a dedicated trendsetter, this daily digest is your go-to source for all things internet culture.
It seems like you’ve shared a detailed and informative article about the potential risks of biotin supplements, their impact on lab tests, and the lack of strict regulation in the supplement industry.The article emphasizes the importance of informing healthcare providers about supplement use, especially biotin, to avoid skewed lab results and potential misdiagnoses. It also highlights the FDA’s limited role in regulating supplements and provides actionable advice for consumers.
If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any part of the article, feel free to ask! Additionally, if you’d like to discuss personal experiences or concerns related to supplements, I’m here to help.
