Final answer:
Yes, biotin can affect thyroid function tests by causing assay interference, potentially leading to inaccurate results and misdiagnosis of thyroid conditions. Informing healthcare providers about biotin supplement intake is essential before testing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Can biotin affect thyroid function tests? Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is crucial for various physiological processes including the metabolization of fats and carbohydrates, and the production of glucose. It is known that excessive intake of biotin supplements can potentially interfere with thyroid function tests, leading to inaccurate results. These tests typically measure the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood, specifically thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are essential for maintaining the body's metabolism. Biotin may cause assay interference, which might lead to a misdiagnosis of hyper- or hypothyroidism. Therefore, it's important to inform the healthcare provider of any biotin supplements before undergoing thyroid function tests.