Acute Selenium Toxicity Associated With a Dietary Supplement

[helvella]

After the recent discussions about selenium, I thought this might be of some interest.

This is not meant to cause anyone to worry - it is clearly not a regular occurrence. Might be totally unique.

Acute Selenium Toxicity Associated With a Dietary Supplement

Abstract

Background

Selenium is an element necessary for normal cellular function, but it can have toxic effects at high doses. We investigated an outbreak of acute selenium poisoning.

Methods

A case was defined as the onset of symptoms of selenium toxicity in a person within 2 weeks after ingesting a dietary supplement manufactured by “Company A,” purchased after January 1, 2008. We conducted case finding, administered initial and 90-day follow-up questionnaires to affected persons, and obtained laboratory data where available.

Results

The source of the outbreak was identified as a liquid dietary supplement that contained 200 times the labeled concentration of selenium. Of 201 cases identified in 10 states, 1 person was hospitalized. The median estimated dose of selenium consumed was 41 749 μg/d (recommended dietary allowance is 55 μg/d). Frequently reported symptoms included diarrhea (78%), fatigue (75%), hair loss (72%), joint pain (70%), nail discoloration or brittleness (61%), and nausea (58%). Symptoms persisting 90 days or longer included fingernail discoloration and loss (52%), fatigue (35%), and hair loss (29%). The mean initial serum selenium concentration of 8 patients was 751 μg/L (reference range, ≤125 μg/L). The mean initial urine selenium concentration of 7 patients was 166 μg/24 h (reference range, ≤55 μg/24 h).

Conclusions

Toxic concentrations of selenium in a liquid dietary supplement resulted in a widespread outbreak. Had the manufacturers been held to standards used in the pharmaceutical industry, it may have been prevented.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[HealthStarDust]

41 749 μg/d gosh that is a scary amount.

[Sparklingsunshine]

Just goes to show that the supplement industry is like the Wild West. People pop these pills not realising excess amounts of certain vitamins and or minerals are not harmless, especially fat soluble ones like vitamin A.

Or Iron, toxic taken in excess. But because you can buy them so freely, anywhere from chemists to the corner shop I dont think people realise how dangerous they can be, unless you are actually deficient. Unless you need them at best you are making expensive wee, at worst you can poison yourself.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I want things to be as freely available as possible so that those who need can get them.

But advertising, labelling, widespread testing, providing information and so on are necessary. There should be some sort of testing regime where every company sends samples of every batch in to be anonymously tested. And identified only if they fail.

Iron is incredibly dangerous to children in particular.

[LindaC]

Thank you for this - I take only 50 ug twice a week - I use many vits/mins + supplements with caution [take a lot of stuff] because so many companies put HUGE amounts in combos and it's not much better with individual products. WHY this is done, I've no idea?