The natural one
Biotin (d-biotin)
The natural, active form. Most products use it.
Good for: Everyday use
What variations of biotin exist?
A B vitamin that helps turn fats, carbs, and protein into energy. Popular for hair and nails, but it mainly helps people who are low. High amounts can throw off many lab tests. It comes in 3 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
Every form, in plain words
The natural one
Biotin (d-biotin)
The natural, active form. Most products use it.
Good for: Everyday use
The modest one
Biotin in a B-complex or multivitamin
Usually a small amount, less likely to throw off lab tests.
Usually skip
- The mega-dose one (High-potency hair, skin, and nail blends)Often huge amounts that can throw off blood tests, with little proof it helps most people.
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Biotin' on the label (the natural one)
Watch out for
- Very high-strength biotin, common in hair and nail products
- Biotin hiding in several products at once (hair formula, multi, B-complex, prenatal)
Check with your provider first if…
- You have blood work coming up. Biotin can throw off many results, including thyroid tests (TSH, T4, T3), troponin (used to check for a heart attack), and hormone tests. Tell your clinician you take it and ask how many days to stop before testing.
- You have a thyroid condition such as Hashimoto's or Graves'. Biotin can make thyroid labs look overactive and lead to the wrong medicine changes.
- You take anti-seizure medicine such as carbamazepine or phenytoin, which can lower biotin
- You have hair loss. Get checked for causes like low iron, thyroid problems, or other hormone shifts before relying on biotin.
In Dr. Lesher's store
3 products in Dr. Lesher's dispensary have biotin. Here's which form, where the label says.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
Designs for Health
Whole Beauty Collagen Powder
10,000 mcg per serving
MegaFood
Baby & Me 2™
150 mcg per serving
MegaFood
Baby & Me 2™ Postnatal Multi
17.5 mcg per serving
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.