Vitamin B7 Blood Test
The Vitamin B7 Blood test measures the vitamin B7 levels in the blood to screen for a deficiency.
Description
Order this Vitamin B7 Blood test to measure vitamin B7 levels in the blood to screen for a biotin deficiency. Vitamin B7, often referred to as biotin, is an essential vitamin for several vital body functions. For example, vitamin B7 is needed for cell growth and helps the body break down and use food (metabolism). Additionally, biotin is often promoted as a supplement to improve the health and appearance of your hair, skin, and fingernails, but there is little scientific evidence proving these claims.
Foods that naturally contain rich amounts of vitamin B7 include:
- avocados
- bananas
- eggs
- milk
- nuts and seeds (walnuts and sunflower seeds)
- raspberries
While a vitamin B7 deficiency is rare in the United States, it is most often the result of certain risk factors, including:
- Alcohol dependency
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Rare genetic disorders
Signs or symptoms of a vitamin B7 deficiency include:
- Nervous system disorders
- Rash
- Seizures
- Thinning and loss of hair
Individuals may order this Vitamin B7 Blood Test to screen for a deficiency if they have experienced associated symptoms. In addition, this test can be used to determine if individuals are getting an excessive amount of vitamin B7. Similar to a vitamin B7 deficiency, excessive levels of vitamin B7 in the blood are also rare. However, abnormally high vitamin B7 levels can be caused by the overuse of dietary supplements. Left untreated, individuals with excessive vitamin B7 levels can experience serious health problems, including insomnia, skin rashes, digestive issues, problems with insulin release, and kidney problems.
