16 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B7 Deficiency

Vitamin B7, or biotin, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to break down your fat, carbohydrates and protein. Vitamin B7 deficit people fail to produce sufficient biotin necessary for the body’s healthy functioning. When we don't get enough of it, we can experience a range of health issues.

Identify the early signs of this deficiency and know about the cure with the following detailed discourse. This article will help you understand the signs and symptoms of vitamin B7 deficiency in simple terms, so you can recognise them early and take action to improve your health.

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Vitamin B7 deficiency is the lack of vitamin B7, also known as biotin, in the body. This shortage can happen if enough biotin is not absorbed or ingested. In essence, biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that helps break down fat, carbohydrates and protein in digestion. 

It plays an extremely important role in converting the food you eat into energy; that's why the lack of it can cause severe harm to your overall health. It may manifest as skin disorders such as scaly red rashes around eyes, nose and lips, brittle nails, hair thinning or even neurological signs such as lethargy and depression.

Thanks to its presence in numerous foods and the low daily need, there are very few cases of biotin deficiency (vitamin B7) among people. Even though some groups, such as pregnant women, individuals with genetic problems like biotinidase deficiency and those on persistent antibiotic therapy, may be more prone to it.

Here is a list of causes of vitamin B7 deficiency:

• Individuals under medication for recurring seizures are prone to vitamin B7 deficiency diseases. Consumption of antibiotics over a long time also reduces the biotin-producing bacteria in your gut.
• Conditions like Crohn's disease or colitis prevents your body from absorbing nutrients, causing vitamin B7 deficiency.
• A malabsorption disorder can also lead to symptoms of vitamin B7 deficiency in adults.
• Individuals generally reuse Vitamin B7 before its removal from the body. Genetic disorders like biotinidase deficiency do not let the body reuse this vitamin B7. This condition is mainly diagnosed within a few months of birth and hence common in infants. Lack of treatment can also lead to coma.
• Sticking to strict ketogenic diets prevents your body from consuming vital nutrients. Instead, eating a balanced diet can help maintain your weight and vitamin B7 level better.

Facts: Do you enjoy eating raw eggs regularly? Think again! Study shows that consumption of raw eggs over long periods causes vitamin B7 deficiency. It contains avidin, which inhibits the absorption of biotin.

Diagnosing vitamin B7 deficiency involves a combination of clinical evaluation and specific tests to determine its level in the body. Health practitioners use various approaches to identify and investigate this condition.

1. Physical Examination

A thorough physical examination checks for symptoms such as hair loss, red rashes around the eyes and nose, conjunctivitis, and muscle pain.

2. Dietary Assessment

Evaluation of a patient’s diet to identify potential nutritional gaps, emphasising the intake of foods rich in biotin, such as eggs, nuts, and certain vegetables.

3. Blood Tests

Blood samples are tested to determine the plasma levels of biotin, allowing for the identification of deficiencies or concentration levels.

4. Medical History Review

Analysis of the patient's medical history, including any conditions or medications that may affect nutrient absorption or increase the risk of biotin deficiency, such as prolonged antibiotic use or anticonvulsant therapy.

5. Urine Tests

Urine samples may be collected and analyzed to measure the levels of biotin excretion, providing additional insights into the body's biotin status.

Learn about the leading sources of food that may replace the vitamin B7 to maintain a healthy and dynamic lifestyle.

Fruits to Overcome Vitamin B7 Deficiency

Find out various types of nutritious fruits which help in restoring vitamin B7 levels:

Vegetables to Overcome Vitamin B7 Deficiency

Think of different vegetables that can be rich sources of vitamin B7, such as kale, cabbage and cauliflower, each containing vital nutrients necessary to fight against its deficiency

Other Eatables to Overcome Vitamin B7 Deficiency

Consider other options besides fruits and vegetables alone, which are full of vitamin B7 that aid in fighting this shortage, thus enhancing general healthiness.

The daily requirement of vitamin B7 for an adult (19 years+) is 30 micrograms (mcg) per day. 

The same for children varies age-wise as follows –

• 0-1 years old: 5 mcg per day.

• 1-9 years old: 8 - 12 mcg per day.

• 9-18 years old: 20 -25 mcg per day.

For lactating women, the target requirement is 35 mcg per day.

If you are suffering from vitamin B7 deficiency, mild depression and insomnia can become long-term symptoms. Further, it can become worse if not treated earlier.

Unchecked early symptoms of lack of vitamin B7 can include some of the following persistent health issues: 

• Hair loss or thinning
• Scaly rash around the eyes, nose, and mouth
• Brittle nails
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Nerve problems, including tingling or numbness in the extremities

Some individuals might not associate these signs with biotin insufficiency at first but it is important to identify and treat the lack early through dietary changes or supplements before they develop into more critical conditions.

Thus, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a solution. Also, if you witness symptoms like restlessness, anxiety and sleeplessness over a long time, make an appointment with a healthcare professional.

The deficiency of vitamin B7 in the long term causes biotin deficiency. The following symptoms characterise biotin deficiency:

• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Skin rash (dermatitis), especially around the eyes, nose, and mouth
• Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyes)
• Neurological symptoms such as depression, lethargy, hallucinations
• Numbness and tingling in the extremities
• Developmental delays in infants born to biotin-deficient mothers

These signs occur along with the other previously mentioned vitamin B7 deficiency symptoms.

• In the long run, untreated biotin deficiency can lead to:
• Persistent neurological symptoms such as cognitive impairments and seizures.
• Chronic skin problems like dermatitis and fungal infections.
• Developmental delays and abnormalities in infants born to biotin-deficient mothers.
• Impaired metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
• Weakened immune function and increased susceptibility to infections.

Certain people, due to their diet, lifestyle choices, or medical conditions, may face challenges in getting enough Vitamin B7, potentially leading to deficiency. Recognizing these risk factors is essential for preventing problems early on.

• Signs of vitamin B7 deficiency primarily arise among –
• Individuals with a smoking habit and excessive alcohol consumption.
• One-third of pregnant women show mild symptoms of vitamin B7 deficiency.
• If you are suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, you are more susceptible to developing nutrient insufficiency.
• Infants suffering from a delay in growth and hypotonia for consuming breast milk with low biotin.
• People with chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis.

Getting immediate treatment must be a priority once such individuals start noticing symptoms of this deficiency. Otherwise, it can result in grave long-term effects.

In conclusion, vitamin B7 deficiency is curable. Recognising the signs and symptoms of vitamin B7 deficiency is important for maintaining overall health and well-being. If you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact your healthcare professional. Doctors will accordingly recommend an improved diet to replenish vitamin B7 levels in your body.