Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular monitoring of selenium levels
- Avoiding excessive supplementation
- Balancing trace element intake
Critical Thresholds
Seek immediate medical attention if selenium levels exceed 1400 μg/L due to risk of acute toxicity.
Critical High1400 μg/L
Blutwerte · Marker
Selen
Selenium · Serum Selenium
Elektrolyte
- Einheit:
- μg/L
- Abbreviation
- Se
Selenium quantifies the total concentration of selenium in the blood, reflecting its availability for selenoprotein synthesis.
Reference Ranges
Reference
60–120μg/L
60
90
110
120
1400
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Optimal
Critical
Unit · μg/LRanges may vary slightly based on laboratory standards and population differences.
Overview
Übersicht
Selenium (Se) is a trace element categorized as an electrolyte, crucial for the biosynthesis of selenoproteins, which include selenocysteine. These proteins play vital roles in thyroid hormone metabolism, redox state regulation, and cellular homeostasis. The thyroid gland contains the highest concentration of selenium per gram of tissue, highlighting its importance in thyroid health. Clinically, selenium is significant in managing thyroid diseases such as Graves' orbitopathy and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, where supplementation has shown benefits. It also has implications in liver health, with research indicating non-linear associations with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis. Elevated selenium levels may be linked to NAFLD, while adequate levels may protect against liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. For athletes and biohackers, selenium's antioxidant properties may support recovery and longevity, though the narrow margin between deficiency and toxicity necessitates careful monitoring. Confounders include the chemical form of selenium, dietary intake, and potential interactions with other trace elements. Testing does not typically require fasting, but consistent timing may aid comparability.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated selenium levels may indicate an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, while adequate levels are associated with reduced risk of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Low selenium levels can contribute to thyroid dysfunction and increased prevalence of thyroid diseases.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising selenium levels may suggest excessive supplementation or exposure; re-test in 4 weeks if levels exceed 130 μg/L.
Falling Values
Progressively falling levels may indicate dietary insufficiency or malabsorption issues.
Re-test Interval
4 weeks if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Excessive supplementation
- High dietary intake
- Environmental exposure
- Chronic kidney disease
Cause
Low Levels
- Poor dietary intake
- Malabsorption syndromes
- Chronic gastrointestinal diseases
- Certain medications
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Consuming selenium-rich foods like Brazil nuts
- Including seafood and organ meats
- Ensuring a balanced diet with varied sources
Lever
Supplementation
- Selenium yeast
- Selenomethionine
Note:
Consult a healthcare provider before starting selenium supplements, especially if taking other trace elements.
Testing Guidelines
✓Fasting Not Required
✓Not Time-Sensitive
Testing Frequency
Annually for general health monitoring, more frequently if managing specific conditions.
Interfering Factors
- Recent dietary changes
- Supplement intake
- Concurrent trace element supplementation
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that the optimal serum selenium reference range for preventing conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and thyroid disorders remains debated, particularly around the threshold of 130 μg/L. Researchers have not yet established the specific confounders affecting selenium's role in liver fibrosis and thyroid disease. Additionally, clinical questions regarding the long-term effects of selenium supplementation and its varying impacts based on individual health conditions remain unanswered.
26 Research Publications
1,216
Total Citations
4
Human/RCT
3.1
Avg. Influence
2025
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
Selenium and its supplementation in cardiovascular disease--what do we know?
ReviewInfluence7.0
282
This review examined the role of selenium in cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that while selenium is important for various bodily functions, the evidence regarding its supplementation for cardiovascular health remains inconclusive.
02Top
#02
Selenium neurotoxicity in humans: bridging laboratory and epidemiologic studies.
ReviewInfluence1.0
182
Researchers explored the neurotoxic effects of selenium, noting that acute overexposure can lead to adverse neurological symptoms. They highlighted a potential link between chronic low-level selenium exposure and increased risk of conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, emphasizing the need for further research.
03Top
#03
Evaluating selenium poisoning.
Nuttall Kern L · Annals of clinical and laboratory science · 2006
ReviewInfluence11.0
175
This review focused on selenium poisoning and its clinical evaluation. Researchers observed that distinguishing between toxic and non-toxic selenium levels can be challenging, as toxicity varies with different chemical forms of selenium. Acute toxicity was associated with serum levels above 400 μg/L.
Key findings
- 01Researchers found that acute selenium toxicity is often linked to very high serum levels, typically above 1400 micro g/L.
- 02They observed that chronic toxicity can occur at lower levels, ranging from 500 to 1400 micro g/L.
- 03The study highlighted that different chemical forms of selenium have varying toxic potentials, complicating the assessment of selenium poisoning.
04
#04
Microbial reduction and resistance to selenium: Mechanisms, applications and prospects.
ReviewInfluence7.0
130
This review discussed microbial reduction of selenium and its applications. Researchers highlighted various microbial pathways for selenium reduction and emphasized the potential for using selenium-transforming bacteria in bioremediation and dietary supplementation.
05
#05
Serum selenium and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in U.S. adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2016.
HumanInfluence2.0
99
Researchers evaluated the association between serum selenium levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in U.S. adults. They found a non-linear relationship, with increased NAFLD prevalence at serum selenium levels above approximately 130 μg/L. Below this level, no significant association was observed.
06
#06
Selenium and Selenoproteins in Adipose Tissue Physiology and Obesity.
ReviewInfluence3.0
90
This study reviewed the role of selenium in obesity and adipose tissue physiology. Researchers found inconsistent results regarding selenium's effects on obesity, suggesting that while selenium may influence adipocyte metabolism, its supplementation does not appear beneficial for obesity prevention.
07
#07
Selenium and thyroid diseases.
ReviewInfluence1.0
57
This study examined the relationship between selenium and thyroid diseases. Researchers found that selenium deficiency is linked to an increased prevalence of thyroid diseases and that selenium treatment may improve conditions like Graves' orbitopathy and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. However, the effects of selenium on thyroid cancer remain inconclusive.
08
#08
Safety of selenium exposure and limitations of selenoprotein maximization: Molecular and epidemiologic perspectives.
Review
52
This review discussed the safety of selenium exposure and the limitations of maximizing selenoprotein levels. Researchers found that low selenium intake may still pose risks, including potential links to type 2 diabetes, suggesting a need to reassess dietary reference values for selenium.
09
#09
Toxicological effects of selenium nanoparticles in laboratory animals: A review.
AnimalInfluence3.0
37
This review summarized toxicological studies on selenium nanoparticles in laboratory animals, revealing adverse effects such as changes in body mass and liver function. Researchers noted inconsistencies in toxicity levels and called for further investigation into the long-term effects of selenium nanoparticles.
10
#10
Esophagus cancer and essential trace elements.
Review
20
This study reviewed the associations between essential trace elements, including selenium, and esophageal cancer risk. Researchers found that selenium intake may have a protective effect against esophageal cancer, particularly in individuals with low baseline selenium levels. However, the relationship between other trace elements and esophageal cancer risk remains uncertain.
Publication Trend
Research publications about Selen over time
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