Aberrant Thyroid Function Tests in a Patient Taking Biotin Supplements

Biotin is a component of the B-complex vitamins that has been widely used in over-the-counter supplements. The effects of biotin on thyroid function tests (TFTs) have been recently reported by multiple authors. We report here a case of a patient who presented with TFTs consistent with hyperthyroidis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2019-08, Vol.11 (8)
Main Authors: Latif, Zara, Crupie, Marc J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Binding sites
Case reports
Drug dosages
Endocrinology/Diabetes/Metabolism
Family medical history
Family/General Practice
Hormones
Hyperthyroidism
Immunoglobulins
Internal Medicine
Iodine
Laboratories
Patients
Physiology
Primary care
Thyroid gland
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Description
Summary:Biotin is a component of the B-complex vitamins that has been widely used in over-the-counter supplements. The effects of biotin on thyroid function tests (TFTs) have been recently reported by multiple authors. We report here a case of a patient who presented with TFTs consistent with hyperthyroidism and a positive radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) scan while taking biotin supplements. The TFTs normalized almost a month later and continued to be normal even after resumption of biotin supplements. Interpreting TFTs while patients are taking biotin could pose a diagnostic challenge, so we suggest more frequent monitoring for those patients before starting them on long-term anti-thyroid medications.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.5297