Biotin deficiency

Biotin deficiency is very rare. Biotin is a vitamin which acts as an enzymatic cofactor with a key role in energy production and the synthesis of fats. Biotin is present in a diverse range of cereals, nuts, seeds and eggs. Hence, true deficiency is unusual. It has been observed in the following scenarios:

• those needing total or near total parenteral nutrition with preparations that lack sufficient biotin
• biotinidase deficiency
  • a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease, in which the enzymatic activation of biotin is dysfunctional, resulting in a lack of bioavailable vitamin
• chronic ingestion of raw egg whites

More recently work has suggested that increased biotinolysis may occur in smokers and pregnancy