Everything about Biotin Deficiency Diseases: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Biotin Deficiency is a rare medical condition in humans. Reports say 1 out of 40000 infants have chances of developing this disease, resulting in symptoms like rash in eyebrows, cheeks, and certain neurological symptoms such as muscle pain, numbness, etc. In adults, this type of disease can occur due to excessive consumption of raw eggs (e.g. six eggs per day) over a long period of time.

In this piece, we have thoroughly discussed biotin and biotin deficiency diseases. Stay tuned!

Biotin (also known as Vitamin B7) is one of the B complex vitamins that are responsible for breaking down fat and carbohydrate and converting it into energy. The energy gained from Biotin provides the body with the necessary fuel to ensure smooth bodily functions.

Biotin is available in foods like eggs, milk and bananas. This B complex vitamin boosts good skin health and regulates blood sugar and LDL or bad cholesterol. The human body can make biotin with the help of the microbiome (a bacterial population that resides in the intestines).

Like all B vitamins, biotin is also water-soluble, meaning it does not store in the human body for a long time; hence, regular intake is necessary to avoid biotin deficiency diseases, i.e. diseases caused due to lack of biotin in the body.

Following is a list of diseases caused by biotin deficiency -

• Alopecia (hair loss)
• Biotin deficient face (scaly, red rash around the orifices, i.e., eyes, nose, and mouth)
• Hypotonia (Muscle weakness)
• Ataxia (Problem in controlling body movements)
• Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
• Splenomegaly (Enlarged spleen)

Following is a list of conditions that may result in biotin deficiency disease -

1. People Who Have Biotinidase Disease

Biotinidase Disease is a rare hereditary disorder, where one’s body cannot recycle biotin. People who have this medical condition have increased chances of getting biotin deficiency. If biotinidase disease is left untreated, it can cause life-threatening complications.

2. People Who Take IV Feeding

IV nutrition or tube feeding can reduce the absorbing capacity of biotin. Individuals who rely on this type of nutrition may need biotin supplements till the time they are to consume solid foods.

3. People Who Take Certain Medications

Certain medications like antibiotics may affect healthy bacteria in the intestines, which are useful to make biotin in a body. Without these bacteria’s biotin production and low intake of the same (from foods) can make individuals biotin deficient.

Further, anti-seizure medications can lower biotin absorption capability. Hence, individuals who are taking these medications for a long time must take supplements to avoid biotin disease.

Apart from this, Pregnant women have chances of developing biotin deficiency disease.

One-third of pregnant women have chances of developing marginal biotin deficiency in spite of taking biotin-rich foods. If women have biotin deficiency during pregnancy, babies can develop certain birth defects.

Individuals can identify biotin deficiency disease as its symptoms (in adults) are easily discernible. Let’s learn about this in detail!

Adults with biotin deficiency can show the following symptoms -

• Thinning hair
• Progressing to loss of hair across the body
• Scaly, red rash around body openings, including the eyes, nose, mouth, and anus
• Conjunctivitis 
• Seizures
• Skin infections
• Brittle nails
• Neurological problems, such as depression, lethargy, hallucinations, and paresthesias (burning or prickling sensation) in the extreme cases

The symptoms in infants may vary from adults. Infants with biotin deficiency disease may be born without any signs and symptoms. However, symptoms can start to show a few weeks or months after birth.  The majority of symptoms of biotin deficiency disease are neurological, meaning this medical condition affects the brain and nervous system.

Following are symptoms of biotin deficiency disease in infants-

• Seizures (around 70% of infants who have BTD will usually experience seizures if left untreated).
• Weak muscles
• Low muscle tone 
• Problem with vision or hearing
• Difficulty in controlling body movements 
• Lethargy
• Enlarged liver
• Speech difficulties
• Breathing troubles
• Enlarged spleen

From the above-discussion, it is clear that both infants and adults have chances of developing biotin deficiency disease.  However, there are certain medical conditions that may increase the chances of developing this disease. Therefore, let’s focus on which individuals have a greater risk of getting BTD.

Now that individuals know about the symptoms of biotin deficiency disease let’s learn about the causes of biotin deficiency.

As stated in the introductory paragraph, biotin deficiency is rare in humans. However, when infants or adults develop biotin deficiency disease, doctors usually attribute one of the reasons mentioned below,

1. Intestinal Troubles

Certain intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s Disease and Colitis can prevent the body from absorbing nutrients like biotin from foods. Hence, such medical conditions can cause biotin deficiency disease.

2. Biotinidase Disease

Biotinidase Disease is an inherited condition that prevents one’s body from utilising biotin. The human body can usually reuse biotin a few times before it moves out from one’s body. However, individuals with biotinidase disease cannot recycle this vitamin hence developing a related deficiency. This disease can be diagnosed early due to severe symptoms. On the other hand, the symptoms may appear in infants a few months after birth.

3. Medications

Medications such as Anti-seizures or antibiotics can prevent one’s body from absorbing biotin properly.

4. Long-term Dieting

Strict eating habits may exclude a vast number of minerals and vitamins from the diet. Further, if one continues to maintain this diet for a long-time, it can result in deficiency such as biotin deficiency and related diseases. Hence, one must take a balanced diet to avoid such deficiencies.

5. IV Feeding

Individuals who are receiving nutrition from an IV (intravenous) tube can develop biotin deficiency disease. Here, they must start taking supplements to avoid this deficiency disease.

6. Genetic Diseases

Certain genetic diseases such as Holocarboxylase Synthetase Deficiency, Biotin Transport Deficiency, and Phenylketonuria can cause Biotin Deficiency Disease. While Holocarboxylase Synthetase Deficiency, Biotin Transport Deficiency are rare diseases, Phenylketonuria is common in infants. However, males and females of all ethnic backgrounds can develop this medical condition.

The treatment of biotin deficiency disease usually falls into two categories. These are -

1. Eating Biotin-rich Foods

For adults (19+), the recommended Adequate Intake (AI) for biotin is 30 mcg for males, 30 mcg for females, 30 mcg for pregnant women, 35 mcg for lactating mothers. Below is a list of biotin-rich foods that adults must eat -

• Carrots, cauliflower, and mushrooms
• Cooked eggs, especially egg yolk
• Sunflower seeds and sunflower butter
• Organ meats (including liver and kidney)
• Seafood (salmon, tuna)
• Whole grains include barley and corn
• Green peas, legumes, and lentils
• Dairy products (including milk, cheese, and yogurt)
• Sweet potato
• Almond

Sometimes food processing destroys biotin. Hence, individuals must eat whole foods to get the maximum quantity of biotin.

2.Taking Supplements

Apart from eating biotin-rich foods, individuals can take supplements such as multivitamins or individual supplements to treat biotin deficiency disease. These types of supplements usually come in three amounts such as 10 mcg, 50 mcg and 150 mcg.

Individuals must consult with doctors before taking biotin supplements as these can interact with other medications, resulting in side effects. Further, there may be chances of taking too much biotin without proper knowledge or guidance from a doctor. Hence, individuals must know about the recommended intake of biotin to avoid biotin deficiency disease.

Wondering about the prevention method of biotin deficiency disease?

Consume the above-mentioned biotin-rich foods, take supplements if necessary and consult with doctors regarding taking certain medications such as anti-seizure or antibiotics.

With a detailed discussion on biotin deficiency disease, we have reached the end of this piece. Read the details carefully and consult with doctors if you start experiencing any of the aforementioned biotin deficiency symptoms. In case of infants, parents must be careful about the signs and opt for treatment as early as possible.