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Vitamin B7 (Biotin) LabCorp

SKU
575-l

LabCorp Test #: 070097; CPT: 84591

The Vitamin B7 (also known as Biotin) test is used to measure the amount of Vitamin B7 levels in the body. 

Biotin is a colorless, water-soluble B-complex vitamin which is responsible for a multitude of enzymatic reactions. There have been suggestions that Biotin may play a role in cell proliferation, gene silencing, and cellular response to DNA damage. 

Clinically advanced biotin deficiency is rare in the general populations; 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 to 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 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 risk for biotin deficiency. The results of several studies suggest that biotin deficiency may also be relatively common during pregnancy. 

Symptoms of biotin deficiency include red scaly rashes around the eyes, nose, mouth, and genital area; brittle fingernails; thinning hair with a possible loss of hair color; and neurological symptoms such as depression, lethargy, hallucination, and paresthesia of the extremities. Those with hereditary disorders of biotin metabolism also suffer from impaired immune system function and are susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. 

Click here to read more about this test. 

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