Comment on the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss

The document is a commentary on a review by Patel et al. regarding the use of biotin for hair loss. The author, Ralph M. Trüeb, acknowledges the review's aim to assess the medical evidence for treating hair loss with oral biotin in healthy individuals. Trüeb points out that while biotin deficiency is generally considered rare, a study found that 38% of women with hair loss had biotin levels defined as deficient (<100 ng/L), and 49% had marginal levels (100-400 ng/L). He criticizes Patel et al. for not emphasizing recommendations for women with hair loss to be evaluated for biotin deficiency and treated accordingly. Trüeb agrees with the need for randomized controlled studies to determine the benefit of biotin supplementation in individuals with hair loss and concurrent biotin deficiency or marginal biotin levels. He also notes that indiscriminate treatment of hair loss with biotin should be rejected. The original study on serum biotin levels in women with hair loss was supported by Merz Pharma (Schweiz) AG.