high selenium result.

[Needlehaystax]

6 Feb 2025 at 10:23

1.75µmol/LHigh

0.9 - 1.67 µmol/L

reading very alarming things about high selenium. I’ve stopped supplements but any tips on how to lower and how long it takes? Are my levels high enough to be concerned? I do have brittle nails and a bit of nausea now and again and headaches but hair isn’t thinning yet. Any info would be great.

[helvella Administrator]

Were you taking any supplement(s) which contained selenium? Or foods which are known or expected to be high in selenium?

If so, how much selenium were you taking?

[Needlehaystax in reply to helvella]

I was taking 100ug selenium and the normal diet but upping protein a bit.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Needlehaystax]

Personally, I'd just leave off for a while (maybe a few weeks), then cut down dosing. One every other day, or every third day. After all, we likely need a total of around 70. And the rest of our diet will provide some. All we need to do is add a little to make up for possibly getting 30, 40, 50 or something like that - but less than 70 - in our food.

Good advice on selenium is sparse so I generally try to take a simple approach.

Things might be different if you know you are low in selenium. or you have thyroid eye disease.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

Yes, similar situation . I was just over range too when mine was tested. I didn’t notice any symptoms. Hubby on the other had had terrible garlicky breath (he was helping himself to my supplements roulette fashion - he has been reprimanded).

I stopped supplementing and didn’t eat Brazil nuts for ages. I came back into the top of the range after 3 months. GP was happy with that.

[Needlehaystax in reply to Regenallotment]

Thanks so much