Selenium Deficiency

Selenium (Se) is a part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which metabolizes hydroperoxides formed from polyunsaturated fatty acids. Selenium is also a part of the enzymes that deiodinate thyroid hormones. Generally, selenium acts as an antioxidant that works with vitamin E. Major dietary sources of selenium are breads, grains, meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (acts as an antioxidant that works with vitamin E. Major dietary sources of selenium are breads, grains, meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (1).

Some epidemiologic studies associate low selenium levels with cancer (2). However, a study showed that selenium supplements did not prevent future colorectal adenomas in patients who had colorectal adenomas removed (). However, a study showed that selenium supplements did not prevent future colorectal adenomas in patients who had colorectal adenomas removed (3), and overall, no evidence suggests that selenium supplements prevent cancer (4).

Plasma levels of selenium vary from 8 to 25 mcg/dL (0.1 to 0.3 micromoles/L), depending on selenium intake.

Selenium deficiency is rare, even in New Zealand and Finland, where selenium intake is 30 to 50 mcg/day, compared with 100 to 250 mcg/day in the United States and Canada.

In certain areas of China, where intake averages 10 to 15 mcg/day, selenium deficiency predisposes patients to Keshan disease, an endemic viral cardiomyopathy affecting primarily children and young women. This cardiomyopathy can be prevented but not cured by sodium selenite supplements of 50 mcg/day orally.

Patients receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition have developed selenium deficiency with muscle pain and tenderness that responded to a selenomethionine supplement (5).

In Siberian Russia and China, growing children with selenium deficiency may develop chronic osteoarthropathy (Kashin-Beck disease).

Selenium deficiency may contribute synergistically with iodine deficiency to the development of goiter and hypothyroidism (6).

Diagnosis of selenium deficiency is made based on history and physical examination or sometimes by measuring glutathione peroxidase activity or plasma selenium, but neither of these tests is readily available.

Treatment of selenium deficiency consists of sodium selenite 100 mcg/day orally.of selenium deficiency consists of sodium selenite 100 mcg/day orally.