Selenium Deficiency
Check and manage Selenium Deficiency
A selenium blood test can show whether your level is within the expected range for the lab.
A 24 hour urine selenium test can help show how much selenium your body is clearing.
Low results may point to low intake, poor absorption, or another health issue that needs follow up.
Selenium can change with diet, supplements, kidney function, and some health conditions. Monitoring helps you avoid too little selenium, and also avoid unsafe extra intake.
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What is Selenium Deficiency?
If your selenium is low, your body may not have enough of this trace mineral for normal cell protection.
Selenium deficiency is rare in the United States, but it can matter when it happens. Severe deficiency has been linked to Keshan disease, a heart condition, and Kashin Beck disease, a joint condition.
Symptoms
- Fatigue or weakness that does not have a clear cause.
- Muscle pain or tenderness.
- Changes in hair or nails.
- Frequent infections or slow recovery.
- Joint pain in areas where selenium deficiency is common.
- Shortness of breath or swelling, which needs prompt medical care.
Causes and risk factors
- Low selenium intake from food grown in low selenium soil.
- Restricted diets that limit selenium rich foods.
- Digestive conditions that reduce nutrient absorption.
- Long term tube feeding without enough selenium.
- Dialysis or kidney problems that affect mineral balance.
- Living in regions where selenium deficiency is more common.
How it's diagnosed
A selenium blood test can show whether your level is within the expected range for the lab.
A 24 hour urine selenium test can help show how much selenium your body is clearing.
Low results may point to low intake, poor absorption, or another health issue that needs follow up.
Treatment options
Management often starts with confirming the level and reviewing diet, supplements, and health history with a clinician. Do not start high dose selenium unless a clinician recommends it. Too much selenium can be harmful.
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Frequently asked questions
A blood test can measure selenium in your body. A 24 hour urine test can show how much selenium your body clears. A clinician can help choose the right test.
A low result may suggest low intake, poor absorption, or another health issue. One result does not diagnose a deficiency by itself. Your clinician may repeat testing or review your diet.
Labs report an expected range with your result. A safe level can depend on age, health history, and supplement use. Review your result with a clinician before changing supplements.
Yes, too much selenium can be harmful. High intake may cause nausea, hair loss, nail changes, or nerve symptoms. Tell your clinician about every supplement you take.
Some people have no clear symptoms. Others may notice fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, or hair and nail changes. Severe deficiency has been linked to heart and joint problems.
Risk may be higher with low selenium diets, digestive disorders, dialysis, or long term tube feeding. It is also more common in certain low selenium regions. Your clinician can review your personal risk.
Many foods contain selenium, including seafood, meat, eggs, grains, and Brazil nuts. The amount can vary by soil and food source. Ask a clinician before making big diet changes.
Do not start high dose selenium unless a clinician recommends it. If your level is low, your clinician can suggest an amount and retesting plan. This helps lower the risk of too much selenium.