Question 1

What is Selenium Toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Selenium toxicity, also known as selenosis, occurs when excessive amounts of selenium accumulate in the body. It is caused by over-supplementation with selenium pills or consuming foods grown in selenium-rich soil. The Selenium blood test is the most important test for diagnosis because it directly measures circulating selenium levels that confirm toxicity.

Question 2

What causes selenium toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Selenium toxicity is caused by consuming excessive amounts of selenium through over-supplementation or eating foods grown in selenium-rich soil. Taking high-dose selenium supplements beyond the recommended daily amount of 55 micrograms for adults is the most common cause. Some people also develop selenosis from consuming Brazil nuts in large quantities, as these nuts are extremely high in selenium, or from drinking well water in areas with naturally high selenium content in the soil.

Question 3

What is the best test for selenium toxicity?

Accepted Answer

The Selenium blood test is the most important test for selenium toxicity because it directly measures the current level of selenium circulating in your bloodstream. This test can confirm elevated selenium concentrations that indicate selenosis, especially when you have symptoms like hair loss, nausea, irritability, fatigue, and nerve damage. The Selenium 24-Hour Urine test is also essential as a complementary test because it measures how much excess selenium your body is trying to eliminate, providing a comprehensive picture of selenium overload and helping doctors monitor your recovery as treatment progresses.

Question 4

When should I get tested for selenium toxicity?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you are taking selenium supplements and experience unexplained hair loss, brittle nails, or a persistent garlic-like odor on your breath. Testing is also important if you notice neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling in your extremities, fatigue, irritability, nausea, or skin rashes, especially if you have been taking high-dose supplements or eating large amounts of Brazil nuts regularly. Get tested immediately if you have been consuming more than 400 micrograms of selenium daily, as this exceeds the safe upper limit and puts you at significant risk for toxicity.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of selenium toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of selenium toxicity include hair loss, brittle or discolored nails, and a distinctive garlic-like odor on your breath. You might also experience gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Neurological symptoms are common and include fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, and tremors. Some people develop skin rashes, lesions, or a flushed appearance, while severe cases can lead to liver damage, kidney failure, respiratory distress, and even heart problems.

Question 6

Who is at risk for selenium toxicity?

Accepted Answer

People who take high-dose selenium supplements, especially those exceeding 400 micrograms daily, are at highest risk for selenium toxicity. Individuals who consume large quantities of Brazil nuts regularly face increased risk, as just a few nuts can provide several times the recommended daily amount. People living in areas with selenium-rich soil who drink well water or eat locally-grown produce may develop selenosis over time. Those taking multiple supplements without checking for selenium content in each product can accidentally overdose, and individuals with certain medical conditions affecting selenium metabolism or excretion may accumulate toxic levels more easily.

Question 7

What happens if selenium toxicity is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated selenium toxicity can lead to severe and potentially permanent neurological damage, including peripheral neuropathy with chronic numbness, tingling, and loss of coordination. Continued exposure causes progressive hair and nail loss, and you may develop serious liver damage or cirrhosis. The condition can progress to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or transplantation in extreme cases. Respiratory problems may develop, making breathing difficult, and cardiovascular complications including irregular heartbeats and heart failure can occur. In rare but severe cases, untreated selenium toxicity can be fatal, making early diagnosis and treatment essential.

Question 8

Can selenium toxicity be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, selenium toxicity can be definitively diagnosed with a blood test that measures selenium levels in your serum. Normal selenium blood levels range from 70 to 150 micrograms per liter, and levels above 150 micrograms per liter indicate excess selenium that may cause toxicity. The blood test shows your current selenium status and helps doctors determine the severity of your condition. A 24-hour urine test is often ordered alongside the blood test to measure how much selenium your body is eliminating, providing a complete assessment of selenium overload and helping guide treatment decisions.

Question 9

How is selenium toxicity treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for selenium toxicity begins immediately by stopping all selenium supplements and avoiding selenium-rich foods like Brazil nuts, organ meats, and seafood. Your doctor will recommend drinking plenty of water to help flush excess selenium from your system through increased urination. In moderate to severe cases, supportive care in a hospital may be necessary, including intravenous fluids to promote selenium excretion and medications to manage specific symptoms like nausea or neurological issues. Blood and urine tests are repeated regularly to monitor selenium levels as they decrease, and most people recover fully within weeks to months once selenium intake is eliminated, though severe cases may require longer recovery periods.

Question 10

How can I prevent selenium toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Prevent selenium toxicity by limiting your daily selenium intake to no more than 400 micrograms, which is the established safe upper limit. Read supplement labels carefully and avoid taking multiple products containing selenium, as this can cause accidental overdose. Limit Brazil nuts to just 1-2 nuts per day at most, as each nut contains 70-90 micrograms of selenium. Check with your doctor before starting any selenium supplements, especially if you already eat a diet rich in selenium-containing foods like fish, meat, eggs, and whole grains. If you take selenium supplements, use the lowest effective dose and get your selenium levels tested periodically to ensure they remain in the healthy range.

Question 11

What can I do at home for selenium toxicity?

Accepted Answer

At home, immediately stop taking all selenium supplements and avoid eating Brazil nuts, organ meats, seafood, and other selenium-rich foods until your levels normalize. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help your kidneys flush excess selenium from your body through increased urination. Focus on eating a balanced diet with foods naturally lower in selenium, such as most fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Keep a symptom diary to track improvements in hair loss, nail health, fatigue, and other symptoms, and share this information with your doctor. While these home measures support recovery, you must work with a healthcare provider to monitor your selenium levels through blood tests and ensure your levels return to the safe range.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
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            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
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            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Selenium Toxicity Blood Test

What is Selenium Toxicity?

What causes selenium toxicity?

What is the best test for selenium toxicity?

When should I get tested for selenium toxicity?

References

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