Biotin for Hair Loss: Does It Work?

Hair loss or hair shedding?

Before deciding whether biotin can help, it's worth knowing which problem you have. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) separates the two:

• Hair shedding is normal up to a point. The AAD says it's normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. When you shed a lot more, that's excessive shedding, called telogen effluvium. It often shows up a few months after a stressor such as giving birth, an illness, an operation or a stressful life event.
• Hair loss happens when something stops hair from growing. The AAD says hair won't grow back until the cause stops.

Cleveland Clinic explains that with telogen effluvium, you may lose up to 300 strands a day instead of the usual 100 or so, mostly on the top of the head. The good news is that once the cause is addressed, most cases resolve within six to eight months. The AAD says hair tends to regain its normal fullness within six to nine months after the stressor ends.

For more on shedding, see our guides to telogen effluvium and hair care while shedding.

Can low biotin cause hair loss?

Yes, but it's uncommon. The ODS says biotin deficiency is very rare in the United States. When it does happen, it can cause thinning hair and loss of body hair, along with other signs like:

• A rash around the eyes, nose and mouth
• Brittle nails
• Pinkeye
• Skin infections
• Nervous system problems

The AAD lists "too little biotin, iron, protein, or zinc" among the 18 causes of hair loss, and says hair can regrow once your body gets enough of the missing nutrient.

So the honest answer is: biotin can help hair loss caused by a biotin shortage. But that's rarely the reason someone's hair is thinning.

Many causes of shedding come back to how you've been eating, sleeping and handling stress over the past few months. Olive is a health companion that checks in with you every day, looks at what you eat, and helps you build small habits that actually hold. It doesn't diagnose or treat anything, so a dermatologist is still the right call for ongoing hair loss.

Who is actually low in biotin?

The ODS names a few groups more likely to have trouble getting enough:

• People with biotinidase deficiency, a rare genetic disorder
• People with alcohol dependence
• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding

The ODS also notes that:

• Raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin that binds biotin and blocks its absorption. Cooking the eggs stops this.
• Some antiseizure medicines, taken for at least a year, can significantly lower biotin levels.

If none of these fits you, low biotin is an unlikely explanation for your hair loss. Biotin is found in many foods, including meat, fish, eggs, seeds, nuts and vegetables like sweet potatoes, spinach and broccoli.

When biotin isn't the answer

For most people, the cause of hair loss is something else. The AAD's list includes:

Hair also naturally thins with age as growth slows.

If you've lost a lot of weight quickly, or you're on a GLP-1 medicine, that can also trigger shedding. Our guide to GLP-1 hair loss covers that in detail.

Why taking biotin "just in case" can backfire

Biotin hasn't been shown to cause harm, according to the ODS. But it can cause false results in some lab tests, including tests for thyroid hormone. The FDA has warned that biotin can interfere with certain lab tests, including troponin tests, and cause incorrect results that may go undetected.

That matters for hair loss in particular, because thyroid testing is one of the things a doctor may check. If you take biotin, tell your doctor before any blood test.

We cover the research on biotin supplements and the lab-test issue in more depth in our guide to biotin for hair growth.

What to do if your hair is falling out

1. Notice the pattern. Is it all over, at the part, at the hairline, or in round patches? When did it start?
2. Think back three months. Illness, surgery, childbirth, big stress, a new medicine or a crash diet can all show up as shedding later.
3. Look at your plate. Are you eating enough protein and a variety of foods? Restrictive diets can lead to shortfalls.
4. Be gentle with your hair. Our guide to shampoo for thinning hair covers what to look for.
5. See a dermatologist. The AAD says a dermatologist can tell whether you have hair loss or shedding, find the cause and explain what to expect. The sooner treatment begins, the better the outlook.

At the visit, Cleveland Clinic says a provider can often confirm stress-related shedding with a scalp exam and a gentle "pull test" on a small clump of hairs. They'll also ask about your diet and anything that happened around three months earlier. Blood tests or a scalp biopsy may be suggested if the cause isn't clear. If you take biotin, mention it before any blood is drawn.

See a doctor sooner if hair loss is patchy, comes with itching, pain or scaling, or comes with other symptoms like fatigue or feeling cold.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk with a dermatologist or doctor about hair loss, and don't start, stop or change any medicine or supplement without them.

Frequently asked questions

Does biotin help with hair loss?

Only if you're low in biotin, which is very rare. Research hasn't shown that biotin improves hair in people who already get enough from food.

Can biotin deficiency cause hair loss?

Yes. Biotin deficiency can cause thinning hair and loss of body hair, often with a rash around the eyes, nose and mouth. But it's very rare in the United States.

Who is most likely to be low in biotin?

People with the genetic disorder biotinidase deficiency, people with alcohol dependence, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding are most likely to fall short.

Will biotin stop hair shedding?

Usually not. Most shedding follows a stressor like illness, childbirth or rapid weight loss, and it tends to settle on its own once the cause passes.

Is it safe to take biotin for hair loss?

Biotin hasn't been shown to cause harm, but it can cause false results on some blood tests, including thyroid tests. Tell your doctor if you take it.

When should I see a doctor about hair loss?

See a dermatologist if you're losing more hair than usual, notice patches or a widening part, or have scalp itching, pain or other symptoms.

Support your hair from the inside out

Steady meals with enough protein and a variety of foods help your body through stressful stretches. Olive checks in with you every day and notices what's keeping your body stuck.

If steady habits haven't moved stubborn weight, Olive's Protocol is one option to look into.

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