Biotin Side Effects: Supplements, Acne, Pimples, Allergies & Thyroid

Know more about the common or major side effects of biotin when used for skin hair or weight loss

Summary of Biotin Side Effects

The major side effects of biotin are:

1. Increases Acne and Pimple development
2. Increased thyroid antibodies and hormones
3. Increases in allergies
4. Increased risk of miscarriage
5. Reduction in effectiveness of some medications
6. Frequency of urination
7. May cause diarrhea
8. May increase blood glucose levels
9. May cause acute respiratory difficulties.
10. Increased nausea

In the following discussion we shall take a look at each of the above side effects in detail:

Acne or Pimple Development

Acne and pimples are one of the biotin side effects. They are caused by too much biotin intake that exceeds the recommended units.  The main reason as to why there is an increase of acne is clearly not understood, but it has been found that when a person reduces the levels of biotin intake, acne fades offs.

To lower the risk of developing cystic acne an individual opt to take plenty of water and reduce biotin doses to lower levels below 2500 mcg. However, health experts advise that a person does an experiment with different levels of biotin so as to get the best dose that works best for their skin.

Pimples are skin surface spots that are painful and full of pus. The large consumption of foods rich in biotin has been found to cause an increase in pimple development, which is a biotin side effect. Individuals with increased pimples should consider reducing the uptake of foods rich in biotin.

Increased Thyroid hormones and antibodies

The increase in thyroid hormones and antibodies occurs mainly in children with metabolic disorders who take large amounts of biotin.  The results resemble the Grave’s disease, an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid antibodies overstimulate the thyroid gland to produce excess thyroid hormone.  That results to hyperthyroidism.  Additionally, biotin side effects include the interfering with the thyroid hormone test systems, thus interfering with laboratory results.

Biotin increases Allergies

Intake of biotin supplements may cause another biotin side effect (allergic reactions) in some individuals especially those who are allergic to vitamin B12 cobalamin or cobalt.  Those people suffering from allergic reactions to biotin may experience itchy rash, nausea, pain or tightness in their chest, swelling of their throat and face.  Health experts advise that when you experiences such symptoms, you should visit a healthcare facility immediately. This is so because some of the symptoms can be fatal if not managed on time.

Biotin increases the Risk of Miscarriages

High doses of biotin can interfere with pregnancies in women because a higher concentration increases the chances of someone having miscarriages.  The precise reason for this biotin side effect is not well understood, but there is some specific suggestion that maybe the biotin could be interfering with the attachment of the fertilized ovary to the walls of the womb.

Interfering with that attachment it directly causes a miscarriage and therefore to avoid such scenarios an individual should visit a specialist so as to be advised adequately on when and how much biotin they should consume especially during the times they want to get pregnant or are pregnant.

Biotin reduces the effectiveness of some medications

This is a biotin side effect that lowers drug functionality in humans. The potency of some medicines or drugs is highly dependent on the interactions between the drug and the target cell (s). Interfering with this process by either blocking the receptors found on the target cells makes the drugs inefficient, and therefore the virus or the pathogen continues to spread and to cause further damages to other cells.

The destruction of the host cells especially the immune cells such as the CD 4, CD 8, dendritic cells, macrophages and B cells interfering with the host immune defense and therefore increasing the susceptibility to viral or pathogenic attack.

Biotin has been found to be a major hindrance towards the eradication of seizures.  In this particular case, biotin binds with anti-seizures, therefore rendering these medications less effective for preventing the drug’s interaction with the target cells.  Additionally, biotin has also been found to be an anti-cholesterol inhibitor and can also bind to anti- diabetic drugs and therefore increase the symptoms of diabetes.

Biotin increases Frequency of Urination

The increase in biotin concentration in humans has been shown to lead to an increased urge of urination. This biotin side effect can be disturbing because one has to urinate in a more regular manner than they used to and therefore interfering with their comfort and sometimes that can also lead to stress and discrimination.

Discrimination arises when people realize that one can no hold his or her urine for more than an hour and therefore if they are in a meeting, for example, they have to excuse themselves for several times.

Additionally, in some individuals, biotin side effects may be experienced as a result of increased amount of sweating above the normal levels, which can have detrimental effects on a person’s physical and emotional health. Increased sweating than normal can also cause discrimination, which can result in increased stress.

Biotin may cause diarrhea

Diarrhea is a serious condition which can quickly cause death if not managed in time. It has been found that increased consumption of biotin supplements can cause diarrhea.  The symptoms of this biotin side effect may be so severe in that if an individual is not treated they may die.

Nonetheless one can fail to contrite in what they are doing if they are under much pain due to diarrhea and stomach cramps. Therefore it is advisable that an individual monitors their biotin uptake levels so as to avoid stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Biotin may increase blood glucose levels

People who have diabetes need to continuously monitor their glucose levels to avoid experiencing a sudden increase in diabetic symptoms which can even kill them. It has been found that when such individuals consume biotin supplements, they risk increasing their blood glucose levels.

That is because these vitamins increase the process of glucose and fatty acid synthesis thus increasing the levels of blood glucose.  It is therefore important for diabetic individuals to visit a health physician to be advised on the levels of biotin they should consume a day, thus lowering the likelihood of developing this biotin side effect.

May cause acute respiratory difficulties

In some people, higher doses of biotin can be responsible for the development of respiratory problems, which can affect a person’s health. This condition is known as anaphylaxis, and an individual is expected to immediately visit a physician if they experience any symptoms that could be indicative of the occurrence of the respiratory problem.

The doctors in such case can be able to identify the cause of the respiratory problem and therefore give valuable advice, which can help prevent or lower the symptoms of anaphylaxis. That therefore lowers the severity of this biotin side effect.

Biotin increases Nausea

Several individuals who consume biotin supplements complain of mild nausea, particularly during the early stages.  However, as time goes by the symptom may disappear, and therefore an you expected to be conscious so as to quickly visit a physician for further advice to avoid suffering from the other adverse effects discussed above.

In conclusion, we have discussed the various Biotin side effects. Therefore an individual needs to monitor their daily biotin uptake to prevent experiencing the adverse effects, which can interfere with their normal health.