Can biotin supplements cause high blood pressure?

October 12, 2025 •

5 min read

While millions of people take biotin supplements for hair and nail health, many are unaware of its potential effects on the body's systems. One significant area of inquiry is whether biotin supplements cause high blood pressure; however, current evidence from research suggests the opposite may be true, indicating potential benefits rather than harm.

Quick Summary

Current evidence suggests biotin supplements do not cause high blood pressure. Instead, some studies indicate a potential antihypertensive effect. The primary health concern with high-dose biotin involves its interference with laboratory test results, not an elevation in blood pressure. However, it's crucial to discuss all supplements with a healthcare provider before use.

Key Points

Biotin Does Not Raise Blood Pressure: Scientific evidence, including animal studies, suggests biotin does not cause high blood pressure; some research even indicates a potential blood-pressure-lowering effect.
Lab Test Interference is the Primary Risk: High doses of biotin can interfere with important lab tests, like cardiac troponin (for heart attacks) and thyroid hormone tests, leading to inaccurate results and potential misdiagnosis.
Excess is Safely Excreted: As a water-soluble vitamin, the body eliminates any excess biotin through urine, so it does not accumulate to toxic levels that would affect blood pressure in healthy individuals.
Consult a Professional Before Supplementing: Anyone, especially those with existing health conditions or on medication, should talk to their doctor before taking biotin, primarily due to the risk of interfering with diagnostic tests.
Inform Labs About Your Intake: It is crucial to tell your doctor and the lab technician about any biotin supplements you take before blood tests are performed to ensure accurate results.

Understanding the Link Between Biotin and Blood Pressure

Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for metabolism and cell signaling. Despite its popularity as a hair and nail supplement, many consumers are uncertain about its broader physiological effects, especially on cardiovascular health. The question of whether biotin can cause high blood pressure is a common one, but available evidence suggests this is not the case. In fact, most research points to neutral effects or, in some cases, potential blood pressure-lowering benefits.

Research has shown promising results in animal models. Studies on stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) found that both single and long-term administrations of high-dose biotin led to a decrease in systolic blood pressure. This antihypertensive effect was attributed to the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase, a key enzyme involved in vascular smooth muscle relaxation, independent of nitric oxide. These findings suggest a beneficial impact on blood pressure, though they have not been replicated in human trials to the same extent.

Biotin's Effect on Vasodilation and Metabolic Syndrome

Further animal studies support biotin's cardiovascular benefits. Research on rats with metabolic syndrome showed that biotin supplementation improved several health markers, including normalizing blood pressure and reducing arterial contraction. The findings highlighted biotin's protective role in metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and excess body fat.

Additionally, studies on rat aortic rings demonstrated that biotin could enhance the vasorelaxant effects of certain antihypertensive drugs, such as captopril and nitrendipine. This suggests that biotin may complement standard blood pressure treatments by improving arterial relaxation. The mechanism appears to involve blocking intracellular calcium release and extracellular calcium influx, promoting vasodilation.

Why High-Dose Biotin is Not Associated with High Blood Pressure

Unlike some supplements that may contain ingredients that elevate blood pressure, biotin's safety profile is quite different. As a water-soluble vitamin, any excess not used by the body is simply excreted through urine, making it difficult for toxic levels to accumulate. There is no established Tolerable Upper Intake Level for biotin because adverse effects have not been reported even at very high intakes. For context, some studies on patients with conditions like multiple sclerosis used daily doses as high as 300 mg (10,000 times the Adequate Intake) without causing side effects.

This is why, in healthy individuals, biotin supplementation does not typically interact negatively with high blood pressure medications. The body's efficient removal of excess biotin prevents it from accumulating in a way that would disrupt blood pressure regulation. Nonetheless, it remains crucial for individuals with hypertension to consult their doctor before adding any new supplement to their regimen, especially to avoid potential interactions with prescription medications.

The Real Risk: Biotin's Interference with Lab Tests

While can biotin supplements cause high blood pressure? is not a valid concern, there is a significant, widely-documented risk associated with high-dose biotin: interference with laboratory tests. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued several safety communications on this topic. This interference can lead to serious consequences, such as missed or delayed diagnoses.

Affected Lab Tests and Potential for Misdiagnosis

High levels of biotin in blood samples can interfere with assays that use biotin-streptavidin technology. This technology is common in many immunoassays used to measure hormones and other biomarkers.

Key tests affected include:

Cardiac troponin tests: Biotin can cause falsely low troponin results. Since troponin is a critical biomarker for diagnosing heart attacks, a false negative could lead to a missed or delayed diagnosis with life-threatening consequences. In at least one documented case, a patient taking high doses of biotin died following a falsely low troponin result.
Thyroid hormone tests: Biotin can cause falsely high or low results for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T4, and T3, potentially leading to a misdiagnosis of a thyroid disorder or incorrect treatment.
Other hormone assays: Tests for reproductive hormones and parathyroid hormone can also be affected by high biotin levels.

To mitigate this risk, healthcare providers recommend suspending biotin intake for at least two to three days before blood testing. However, some tests may be affected for a longer period, and the FDA has stated that sufficient information isn't available to know if stopping for a few hours is enough. It is vital to inform your doctor and lab technicians if you are taking biotin supplements.

Comparing Biotin Intake: Food vs. Supplements


Feature	Biotin from Food Sources	High-Dose Biotin Supplements
Typical Daily Intake	Meets the Adequate Intake (AI) of 30 mcg for adults.	Ranges from 5,000 mcg to 10,000 mcg, or higher.
Effect on Blood Pressure	Neutral, part of a normal, healthy diet.	Based on animal models, potentially antihypertensive. No evidence of raising blood pressure.
Known Health Risks	Deficiency is rare and unlikely to pose risks.	Potential side effects like acne, digestive issues, or rare allergic reactions.
Lab Test Interference	Not high enough to cause interference with diagnostic tests.	High risk of interfering with cardiac troponin and thyroid tests, among others.
Monitoring	No special monitoring needed for the average person.	Must inform healthcare provider before any lab tests. Consider pausing intake before tests.

Conclusion: Biotin and Blood Pressure—A Reassurance with a Critical Warning

Based on a review of current research, the concern that can biotin supplements cause high blood pressure? is unfounded. In fact, studies in animal models suggest a potential blood pressure-lowering or protective effect, though this is not yet a clinically established treatment for humans. Biotin is water-soluble, meaning the body efficiently eliminates excess amounts without leading to toxicity. Therefore, high doses of biotin are not a direct threat to cardiovascular health in terms of elevating blood pressure.

However, this does not mean high-dose biotin supplementation is without risk. The most critical issue is its interference with lab tests, especially those used to diagnose heart attacks and thyroid conditions. This can result in dangerously inaccurate test results and a potential misdiagnosis. Any person considering high-dose biotin supplements should first consult a healthcare professional. Always inform your doctor and laboratory personnel about your biotin intake before undergoing any blood tests, and follow their guidance on when to stop supplementation to ensure accurate results and safe medical care.

For more information on biotin safety, consult the FDA's official safety communication on this topic.

Key Takeaways

No Link to High Blood Pressure: Research does not support the claim that biotin supplements cause high blood pressure. Some animal studies even suggest an antihypertensive effect.
High Doses Are Water-Soluble: Excess biotin is excreted through the urine, preventing toxic buildup in healthy individuals and limiting its impact on blood pressure regulation.
Major Risk is Lab Test Interference: High-dose biotin can cause falsely low cardiac troponin results, potentially masking a heart attack, or inaccurate thyroid test results.
Consult Your Doctor Before Testing: Always inform your healthcare provider about biotin use before any blood work, particularly for heart or thyroid concerns, to avoid misdiagnosis.
Interactions with Medication Are Unlikely: Biotin is not known to commonly interact negatively with blood pressure medications, but medical consultation is still advised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, biotin is generally considered safe for people with high blood pressure, and there is no evidence that it will cause your blood pressure to increase. However, you should still consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you are on medication.

While high doses of biotin do not cause high blood pressure, they can lead to falsely low results on cardiac troponin tests used to diagnose heart attacks. This can cause a dangerous misdiagnosis. For this reason, informing your doctor about biotin use is critical.

The Adequate Intake for adults is 30 micrograms (mcg), but many supplements contain megadoses ranging from 5,000 mcg to 10,000 mcg or more. It is these high doses that primarily pose a risk for lab test interference.

It is generally recommended to stop taking biotin supplements for at least two to three days before blood tests to ensure accurate results. Always follow the specific guidance of your healthcare provider.

Yes, high levels of biotin can interfere with many immunoassays, including those for thyroid hormones (TSH, T4, T3), reproductive hormones, and Vitamin D, potentially leading to inaccurate readings.

Although not associated with high blood pressure, high doses of biotin can cause side effects such as skin rashes, acne, or digestive issues in some individuals. Excess biotin is simply excreted through urine.

Biotin is not known to commonly interact with blood pressure medications, but it is always best practice to inform your healthcare provider about all supplements you are taking to ensure safety and avoid potential rare interactions.

For adults, the recommended daily Adequate Intake (AI) for biotin is 30 mcg, which is easily obtained through a balanced diet. Biotin deficiency is rare in most people.