Biotin (Vitamin B7)

VITB7

2 mL Serum from an SST or Red Top Tube

1 mL

Allow sample to clot for 30 minutes. Centrifuge and transfer serum to an amber vial to protect from light.

Amber vial

Frozen

Room Temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 Days
Frozen: 14 Days

Not light protected, room temperature sample, hemolysis, lipemia

4 days

Sometimes the vitamin is used in weight reduction programs. It may be prescribed as a supplement for diabetic patients due to its role in carbohydrate metabolism. Biotin is commonly found in vitamin B complex and many food sources, such as milk, yeast, egg yolk, cereal, and mushrooms. The reference daily intake [RDI of 101.9(c) (8) (IV)] for vitamin B7 is 300 micrograms. Deficiency in the vitamin may result in seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia, myalgia, hyperesthesia, and conjunctivitis. Disorders of biotin metabolism can be acquired or congenital. Biotinidase and holocarboxylase synthethase deficiency are the two better known forms of disorders. The lack of biotin-dependent pyruvate carboxylase, propionyl-CoA carboxylase, methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase can lead to the life-threatening disorder of multiple carboxylase deficiency. Treatment involves a daily dose of approximately 10 mg biotin/day. Irreversible mental or neurological abnormalities may result from delayed clinical intervention.