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A new interesting article has been published in Clin Biochem. 2019 Dec; 74:1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2019.08.012. Epub 2019 Aug 29. Review and titled:

Best practices in mitigating the risk of biotin interference with laboratory testing.

Authors of this article are:

Bowen R, Benavides R, Colón-Franco JM, Katzman BM, Muthukumar A, Sadrzadeh H, Straseski J, Klause U, Tran N.

A summary of the article is shown below:

Dietary biotin intake does not typically result in blood biotin concentrations that exceed interference thresholds for in vitro diagnostic tests. However, recent trends of high-dose biotin supplements and clinical trials of very high biotin doses for patients with multiple sclerosis have increased concerns about biotin interference with immunoassays. Estimates of the prevalence of high biotin intake vary, and patients may be unaware that they are taking biotin. Since 2016, 92 cases of suspected biotin interference have been reported to the US Food and Drug Administration. Immunoassays at greatest risk from biotin interference include thyroid and reproductive hormones, cardiac, and immunosuppressive drug tests. Several case studies have highlighted the challenge of biotin interference with thyroid hormone assays and the potential misdiagnosis of Graves’ disease. Biotin interference should be suspected when immunoassay test results are inconsistent with clinical information; a clinically relevant biotin interference happens when the blood biotin concentration is high and the assay is sensitive to biotin. We propose a best practice workflow for laboratory scientists to evaluate discrepant immunoassay results, comprising: (1) serial dilution; (2) retesting after biotin clearance and/or repeat testing on an alternate platform; and (3) confirmation of the presence of biotin using depletion protocols or direct measurement of biotin concentrations. Efforts to increase awareness and avoid patient misdiagnosis should focus on improving guidance from manufacturers and educating patients, healthcare professionals, and laboratory staff. Best practice guidance for laboratory staff and healthcare professionals would also provide much-needed information on the prevention, detection, and management of biotin interference.Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Check out the article’s website on Pubmed for more information:

This article is a good source of information and a good way to become familiar with topics such as: Biotin; Biotin interference; Biotin supplements; Immunoassay.

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