History
Kelly, a 28-year-old pregnant woman, started experiencing a poor appetite, skin rashes, and mild hair loss about 3 months into her pregnancy. Previous laboratory examinations showed Kelly was experiencing:
- • hyperglycemia, known as high blood sugar,
- • hyperammonemia, an excess of ammonia in the blood, and
- • lactic acidosis, which can lead to deprivation of oxygen to the cells.
Description of Results
Kelly’s doctor recommended that she take an Organix Comprehensive Profile for a better understanding of her symptoms. The test results showed Kelly had significantly elevated beta-hydroxyisovalerate excretion. Beta-hydroxyisovalerate is a functional marker of biotin. The results were significantly greater than the 95th percentile of 11.7 ug/mg creatinine. Biotin is essential in the biotinylation of pyruvate carboxylase, propionyl coenzyme A (CoA) carboxylase, beta-methylcrotonoyl CoA carboxylase, and acetyl CoA carboxylase. Pregnancy increases the body’s need for biotin.
Recommendations
Kelly was given 5 mg/day of biotin, along with 100 mg/BID of magnesium, as well as probiotics since biotin insufficiencies are often seen in patients with dysbiosis. Most multi-vitamin supplement formulas have 300 mcg of biotin. Clinical trials have used up to 16 mg/day.
Follow-up
At Kelly’s follow-up exam 3 months later, the practitioner reviewed her follow-up Organix Basic test results. Kelly’s symptoms resolved within weeks and her test results showed reduced beta-hydroxyisovalerate level. The patient reported stronger hair and nails, an increase in appetite, and a resolution of her skin condition. Her biotin dose was then decreased.
