BIOTIN INTERFERENCE WITH ROUTINE CLINICAL IMMUNOASSAYS: UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES AND MITIGATE THE RISKS.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review and manufacturer data evaluation of assay mechanisms and published case reports
PubMed 28534685 · doi:10.4158/EP171761.RA
What was done
The authors evaluated manufacturer Instructions for Use for assay methods across seven automated immunoassay systems to determine vulnerability to biotin interference. They also conducted a systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE for original reports, case series, and scientific meeting abstracts describing biotin interference in endocrine function tests and other clinical immunoassays.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values or summary statistics. It reports a growing number of published cases of analytical interference from over-the-counter, high-dose biotin supplements affecting streptavidin/biotin-based immunoassays used in endocrine evaluation as well as assays for anemia, malignancies, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cardiac damage.
Why it matters
Because streptavidin/biotin capture methods are widely used in automated laboratory platforms, unrecognized biotin supplementation can generate clinically misleading, falsely elevated or decreased lab results across multiple medical specialties.
Limits
The abstract provides no quantitative data on interference thresholds, specific assay bias metrics, or the total number of reviewed papers. The review relies largely on manufacturer package inserts and descriptive case reports rather than controlled clinical trial data.
Cited by
- supports Taking 300 micrograms or more of biotin supplementation for seven days interferes with laboratory assays for steroid and thyroid hormones, including estradiol, progesterone, hCG, TSH, and testosterone.