Lab Med Online.  2022 Jul;12(3):191-194. 10.47429/lmo.2022.12.3.191.

Serum Biotin Levels in General Korean Population

• Moon S
• Cho EH
• Park SJ
• Kwon MJ
• Park H
• Woo HY

• KMID: 2538604
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.47429/lmo.2022.12.3.191

Abstract

The risk of biotin interference has been growing, as the intake of biotin for hair, skin, and nail care has increased. Elevated serum biotin concentration can interfere with immunoassays, thereby possibly leading to serious medical problems. In this study, we estimated the risk of biotin interference by investigating the distribution of serum biotin concentration in the general population of Korea. From October 2020 to March 2021, 723 samples were collected from individuals (age: 18–81 years) who underwent a medical checkup. Biotin levels were quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Biotin interference in the thyroid function test and vitamin D immunoassay was assessed for samples with biotin levels above 10 ng/mL. Thyroid function and vitamin D results obtained by a streptavidin-biotin-based electrochemiluminescence immunoassay were compared to those of a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay and LC-MS/MS, respectively. A total of 0.41% (3/723) of samples showed serum biotin concentration above the lowest threshold (10 ng/mL) for biotin interference. Vitamin D status in a patient with serum biotin concentration of 130.3 ng/mL was normal according to the immunoassay (30.6 ng/mL) but deficient (29.3 ng/mL) according to LC-MS/MS. Judging by the distribution of biotin concentration in the general population, the risk of biotin interference seems to be low in Korea. Further studies are needed to monitor biotin concentration because biotin intake is increasing.

Keyword

Biotin interference; Thyroid function test; Vitamin D

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