Selenium

Overview

Selenium is a small but mighty mineral that your body needs in tiny amounts to stay healthy. Think of it as a helpful assistant that works behind the scenes. It plays a key role in making special proteins called selenoproteins, which act like guardians protecting your cells from damage. These proteins help with important jobs like supporting your immune system, keeping your thyroid gland working properly, and protecting your body from harmful substances called free radicals. By checking your selenium levels, we can see if your body has the right amount of this essential mineral to keep everything running smoothly.

Testing Levels:

• High (1.45 μmol/L) - If your selenium levels are higher than normal, it might mean you're getting too much selenium - a condition called selenosis. This can happen if you eat a lot of selenium-rich foods or take too many supplements. Signs of too much selenium can include feeling sick to your stomach, losing hair, brittle nails, skin rashes, or a funny garlic-like smell on your breath. It's like having too much of a good thing, which can start causing problems. Reducing your intake of selenium-rich foods and supplements can help bring your levels back to a healthy range.
  
  
• Mid - Having selenium levels within the normal range means your body has just the right amount of this important mineral. You're likely getting enough selenium from your diet to support your immune system, protect your cells, and keep your thyroid gland working well. It's like having a well-balanced team that's helping to keep you healthy without any concerns.
  
  
  
  When your selenium levels are nearing the top of the normal range, it's a sign that you're getting a high amount of selenium. While it's not yet too much, it's a good idea to keep an eye on how much selenium you're consuming. Adjusting your diet slightly or reviewing any supplements you're taking can help ensure you stay within a safe and healthy range, preventing any potential issues before they start.
  
  If your selenium levels are getting close to the lower end, it might mean you're not getting quite enough selenium. While you might not feel any different right now, it's important to make sure you're eating enough selenium-rich foods to keep your levels up. Adding foods like seafood, eggs, or whole grains to your meals can help boost your selenium and support your overall health.
  
  
• Low (0.75 μmol/L) - Low selenium levels indicate that your body doesn't have enough of this essential mineral. This can lead to issues like feeling tired, weak muscles, or a less effective immune system. In more serious cases, it might affect your heart or thyroid gland. To improve low selenium levels, you can increase your intake of selenium-rich foods or, if needed, take supplements as advised by a healthcare professional. This helps ensure your body gets what it needs to function properly.

Why We Test Selenium

Testing your selenium levels helps make sure you're getting the right amount of this important mineral. It can reveal if you have too little or too much selenium, guiding you to make dietary changes or adjust supplements if necessary. This is especially important if you have health conditions that affect nutrient absorption, are on a special diet, or live in an area with low selenium in the soil. Keeping selenium levels balanced supports your overall health and prevents potential problems.

What Affects It

Several things can influence your selenium levels. Your diet is a big factor because selenium comes from the foods you eat, like Brazil nuts, seafood, meats, eggs, and grains. The amount of selenium in plant foods depends on how much is in the soil where they're grown. If you have digestive issues that make it hard to absorb nutrients, like celiac disease or Crohn's disease, your selenium levels might be lower. Certain health conditions, like kidney problems or infections, can also affect how much selenium is in your body. Even lifestyle choices like smoking or drinking too much alcohol can play a role.

How to Improve

If your selenium levels are high or getting close to high, you can lower them by reducing your intake of high-selenium foods like Brazil nuts and being cautious with supplements. It's important not to overdo it, even with healthy foods. If your levels are low or close to low, you can improve them by eating more selenium-rich foods such as seafood, eggs, meats, and whole grains. Sometimes, a doctor might recommend a supplement to help boost your levels. Always talk to a healthcare professional before making big changes or starting supplements to make sure it's safe and right for you.

Common Name: Selenium