Dermatologist Warns Cancer Patients: Biotin Supplements May Interfere With Lab Results

Cancer patients looking to manage hair loss and nail damage from chemotherapy may want to reconsider reaching for biotin supplements, according to a warning from an Ohio State University oncology dermatologist.

Dr. Brittany Dulmage, an oncodermatologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, published a paper outlining how the popular B-vitamin supplement can interfere with blood work. While biotin occurs naturally in certain foods and isn't inherently dangerous, taking it in supplement form can mask changes in cancers of the prostate, thyroid, ovaries, endometrium, and breast.

"By interfering with those lab studies, patients may actually get incorrect results that impact their treatment plan," Dulmage said.

For patients seeking alternatives, Dulmage recommends FDA-approved minoxidil, a topical treatment that can speed up hair regrowth by up to two months. For nail health, she suggests hardening and moisturizing solutions that increase nail turnover and reduce fragility.

Patients who choose to continue taking biotin should stop the supplement 72 hours before any scheduled blood work to ensure accurate results.