Selenium

Urine accounts for about one-half of the total body excretion of dietary selenium when normal amounts are ingested. Seafood, organ meats, cereal grains, and seleniferous vegetables (garlic, onions) are good dietary sources. Selenium is also excreted in sweat, and lesser amounts are present in fecal matter. Because diets are highly variable in selenium content, urine is not a reliable indicator of selenium adequacy or function. However, selenium excess or overload can feature high urinary levels. Without occupational or environmental exposure, or excessive dietary intake, urinary selenium is expected to be below 100 micrograms per liter.

Selenium can be toxic with long-term intake as low as 750 mcg/day. Essential daily selenium requirements range from 10 micrograms (infants) to 50-70 micrograms (adults). Some manifestations of chronic selenium exposure are: fatigue, jaundice, hyperpigmentation of skin, unstable blood pressure, reddish discoloration and structural degeneration of nails and teeth, and dizziness. A garlic-like breath odor usually occurs and there may be a metallic taste in the mouth. Acute selenium contamination generally occurs from inhalation of selenium fumes which inflame mucous membranes and cause coughing and irritation of eyes and nasal passages.

Packed red blood cell elements analysis is a more definite test for selenium status. Hair analysis may provide confirmation of selenium excess if exogenous sources of contamination(antidandruff shampoos) are eliminated.