HSA | FSA CARDS ARE NOW ACCEPTED

Biotin and BTD Gene: Understanding How Your Genes Affect Biotin Recycling

Biotin, also called vitamin B7, is a water soluble vitamin that plays a key role in turning food into energy and supporting healthy hair, skin, and nails. The BTD gene makes biotinidase, the enzyme that recycles biotin so your body can reuse it for important tasks like energy production, fatty acid synthesis, and blood sugar regulation. Variants in BTD can change how well that recycling works and may influence when you are more likely to need extra biotin from food or supplements.

Why Biotin Recycling Matters

Biotin travels in the body bound to proteins. Biotinidase frees biotin from these proteins so the vitamin can be reused. If biotinidase activity is lower, your body may not recycle biotin efficiently. That can increase the chance of a functional biotin deficiency, especially during times of higher need such as rapid growth, pregnancy, intensive training, illness, or when diet is limited.

Food First: Dietary Recommendations

  • Include biotin rich whole foods regularly: fully cooked eggs, dairy or fortified plant alternatives, legumes, nuts and seeds, and whole grains.
  • Maintain a fiber rich diet to support gut health. A diverse microbiome can contribute to biotin production.
  • Cook eggs thoroughly. Raw egg whites contain avidin which can bind biotin and reduce its absorption.
  • Choose whole grain and minimally processed foods to preserve nutrient density.

Supplement and Lifestyle Considerations

  • Discuss supplementation with your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of deficiency, eat a restricted diet, are pregnant, or have higher needs. Low to moderate supplemental biotin may be helpful when dietary intake is uncertain.
  • A multivitamin that contains biotin can be an option for general support, but it should not replace nutrient dense foods.
  • Avoid excessive raw egg consumption and limit long term use of anticonvulsant drugs or antibiotics without medical oversight, as these can affect biotin status.
  • Support overall metabolic health with regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and stress management, which help nutrient utilization.

When to Consider Testing and Medical Follow Up

  • If you have symptoms such as unexplained hair thinning, brittle nails, skin rash, fatigue, or neurological changes, share these with your healthcare provider.
  • Blood tests can measure biotinidase activity or plasma biotin in specific clinical contexts. Genetic results are one piece of information and do not replace diagnostic testing.
  • If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, nursing, or have a chronic illness, review your nutrition and genetic findings with a clinician.

Genetic Interpretation: rs13078881 (BTD)

PlexusDx provides educational information about genetic predispositions. This section explains how different genotypes at rs13078881 may relate to biotin recycling. These interpretations describe tendencies, not diagnoses. PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before changing diet, starting supplements, or altering medical care.

2 effect alleles (CC)

If you have the CC genotype you carry two copies of the effect allele. This is associated with reduced biotinidase enzyme activity which can lower your efficiency at recycling biotin from food and internal sources. Biotinidase helps free biotin so it can be reused for metabolic processes such as energy production, fatty acid synthesis, and blood sugar regulation. With diminished enzyme activity your risk of functional biotin deficiency may be higher, particularly during periods of increased demand like rapid growth, pregnancy, intense training, or illness, or when dietary intake is low.

Practical steps

  • Prioritize biotin rich foods every day: fully cooked eggs, dairy or fortified alternatives, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
  • Maintain a fiber rich and diverse diet to support gut microbes that help produce biotin.
  • Consider discussing a low to moderate biotin supplement or a prenatal/multivitamin with your healthcare provider if needs are elevated or if dietary intake is limited.
  • If you notice symptoms such as hair thinning, brittle nails, fatigue, or skin issues discuss testing for biotin status or biotinidase activity with your clinician.
1 effect allele (CG)

If you have the CG genotype you carry one copy of the effect allele. This is associated with likely reduced biotinidase enzyme activity and may somewhat lower the efficiency of biotin recycling. Biotinidase frees biotin from proteins so it can be reused in energy production, fatty acid synthesis, and blood sugar regulation. Your risk of functional biotin deficiency may be increased during times of higher demand such as rapid growth, pregnancy, intense training, or illness, or when dietary intake is low.

Practical steps

  • Regularly include biotin rich foods: fully cooked eggs, dairy or fortified alternatives, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
  • Support gut health with a fiber rich, varied diet to nurture microbiota that can contribute to biotin production.
  • If you suspect elevated needs or inconsistent intake, discuss low to moderate biotin supplementation with your healthcare provider as an adjunct to a nutrient dense diet.
  • Monitor for signs of deficiency and work with a clinician to decide if testing is warranted.
0 effect alleles (GG)

If you have the GG genotype you carry two copies of the non effect allele. This genotype is associated with typical biotinidase enzyme activity which supports efficient biotin recycling. With normal BTD function you can usually maintain healthy biotin status through a balanced diet that includes biotin rich foods and fiber to support gut health.

Practical steps

  • Keep a nutrient dense diet with fully cooked eggs, dairy or fortified alternatives, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
  • Maintain a fiber rich, varied diet and healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise and good sleep to support overall nutrient metabolism.
  • Supplementation is generally not required for most people with typical BTD activity, but consider a multivitamin or targeted supplement if specific life stages or health issues increase demand.

Practical Tips for Everyday Biotin Support

  • Eat a mix of animal and plant based biotin sources to increase dietary variety and bioavailability.
  • Avoid excessive consumption of raw egg whites. Cooking neutralizes avidin which binds biotin.
  • Keep antibiotic use and medication changes under your clinician's guidance as they can influence gut microbiota and nutrient absorption.
  • Track symptoms and share genetic results with your healthcare provider to tailor testing and interventions appropriately.

PlexusDx educational content does not provide medical advice. Genetic information is a tool to help you and your clinician personalize care. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting new supplements, changing medications, or making significant changes to your diet or health plan.