Minerals Nutrient Elements Calcium Chromium Copper Magnesium Manganese Selenium Zinc Toxic Elements Aluminum Arsenic Cadmium Lead Mercury

Selenium (Se) Turn-around time = 5 to 7 days. Specimen can be performed on RBCs, hair and serum. Selenium (Se) is a constituent of glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide, phospholipid hydroperoxides and other free hydroperoxides. There are four selenium atoms in glutathione peroxidase. There are three types of iodothyronine deiodinase. It removes iodine from thyroid hormone molecules, activates T4 and inactivates T3. Type I in the cells of the liver, kidney and thyroid converts T3 from T4. Type II is found in the brain, brown fat, pituitary and converts T4 to T3 and regulates TSH secretion, Type III inactivates T3. Se in food is related to the soil selenium. Keshan disease in China (a selenium deficiency resulting from low Se in the soil in Keshan, China) results in an enlarged heart and congestive heart failure. Kashin-Beck is an endemic osteoarthritis caused by selenium deficiency. Se deficiency in male and female rats has resulted in infertility. Chronic selenosis (selenium toxicity) results in loss of hair and nails, skin lesions, tooth decay & nervous system disorders. Acute Se poisoning results in nausea, vomiting, hair loss, nail changes, irritability, fatigue and neuropathy. Good sources of Se are foods grown in Se rich soil, tuna, seafoods, meats and whole grains. Methodology is by atomic absorption/ICP. The RDA is 55 ug/day. The expected values in our laboratory for Se are: RBC = 75 to 240 ug/L Serum = 92 to 140 ug/L Hair = 1.4 to 2.5 ug/g Selected references: Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, 3rd Ed. 1999, W. B. Saunders and Company, Chapter 30. Arnaud, J., etal.: Nutritional biological markers of deficiencies of zinc, copper, and selenium. Ann. Biol. Clin.,51:589-604, 1993. Arthur, J.R., Beckett, G.J.: Roles of selenium in type I iodothyronine-5’-deiodinase and in thyroid hormone and iodine metabolism. In: R.F. Burk, Ed. Selenium in biology and human health. New York, Springer-Verlag, 1994, pp. 93-115. Back to Minerals Home Page

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