Specimen Requirements

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Stability

Days Performed

Varies

Turnaround Time

3 - 8 days

Methodology

Special Info

This test is New York state approved.

Clinical Info

Clinically advanced biotin deficiency is rare in the general population; however, significant biotin deficiency can occur in individuals who consume raw egg white over long periods. Avidin, an antimicrobial protein found in egg white, binds biotin and prevents its absorption. Cooking egg white denatures avidin and wipes out its biotin-binding capacity. Profound biotin deficiency can also occur in cases of drastically diminished biotin absorption (patients taking total parenteral nutrition without biotin and in some malabsorption conditions). Some forms of liver disease may increase the requirement for biotin and result in clinical deficiency. Patients receiving long-term anticonvulsant medication may also be at increased the risk for biotin deficiency. The results of several studies suggest that biotin deficiency may also be relatively common during pregnancy. Physical findings associated with overt biotin deficiency include a red scaly rash around the eyes, nose, mouth, and genital area. Some reports suggest that biotin deficiency may result in brittle finger nails and that high dose supplementation may, to some extent, ameliorate the condition. Adults with this deficiency experience thinning of hair, frequently with loss of hair color. Reported neurologic symptoms have included depression, lethargy, hallucination, and paresthesia of the extremities. Individuals with hereditary disorders of biotin metabolism also suffer from impaired immune system function and susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections.