Biotin in pregnancy
TL;DR
Pregnancy is a time of rapid growth, not just for your growing baby, but for your entire body. As your nutritional needs increase, getting enough of the right nutrients in the right forms becomes more important than ever. One nutrient that we hear less of when we think of pregnancy? Biotin.
Biotin plays a key role in metabolism and cell growth, making it especially important during pregnancy. While it doesn’t always make the headlines in prenatal nutrition,
Emerging research suggests it may deserve closer attention.
In this blog, we'll explore why biotin matters during pregnancy and what you should know to better support your health and your baby's development.
Biotin in prenatal vitamins
Why does FullWell Prenatal contain 500 mcg of biotin?
Our Prenatal includes 500 mcg of biotin to support the increased metabolic demands of pregnancy, optimize baby’s development, and safeguard against mild deficiencies that often go unnoticed, which is more common than many realize, even with a well-rounded diet.
Biotin in pregnancy
Biotin needs increase during pregnancy
Biotin plays an important role in how your body creates energy, uses fats, and supports healthy gene activity — all of which are especially important during pregnancy. What most people don’t know is that during pregnancy, your body breaks down biotin faster than usual. This can lead to lower levels in the blood, and studies suggest that up to half of all pregnant women may not be getting enough, even if they’re eating well and meeting the recommended daily intake. 1,2
The standard recommendation may not be sufficient
The recommended amount of biotin during pregnancy (we call this the adequate intake (AI)) is set at just 30 mcg/day, but that number is based on limited data and not necessarily reflective of what’s truly optimal. A higher dose, like the 500 mcg in our Prenatal, offers a helpful cushion to help meet individual needs. This can be especially important for women who may not absorb biotin efficiently or are taking medications that deplete it.
Several common medications and lifestyle factors deplete biotin
Women on certain medications may have increased biotin needs due to depletion. These include3,4
• Anticonvulsants (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin)
• Antibiotics (long-term use)
• Isotretinoin (used for acne)
• Valproic acid
• Sulfonamide antibiotics
• Chronic alcohol use and smoking
No established upper limit
Although 500 mcg may seem high compared to the AI, it is well within safe limits2,5:
• No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been established for biotin due to its low toxicity profile and water solubility.
• Your body gets rid of extra biotin through urine, and absorption levels off at high doses. So it’s not about “more is better,” it’s about making sure you’re getting enough to meet your individual needs.
FullWell includes 500 mcg of biotin to proactively support biotin sufficiency during pregnancy, especially in the face of increased demand, individual variation in metabolism, and common biotin-depleting medications. This dose reflects current clinical insights, not outdated minimums.
While biotin might not be the first nutrient that comes to mind during pregnancy, it plays an important role in supporting both your health and your baby’s growth and development.
Understanding its benefits can help you feel more confident and informed as you care for yourself and your growing baby.
