Selenium

The Selenium test is a blood test used to measure the level of selenium, an essential trace mineral that plays a key role in antioxidant defense, thyroid function, and immune system health.

Selenium is important for protecting cells from oxidative damage and supporting proper metabolism. Low levels may lead to weakened immunity, muscle weakness, or thyroid dysfunction, while excessive levels can cause toxicity with symptoms such as hair loss, gastrointestinal issues, and nerve damage.

This test is useful in evaluating nutritional status, monitoring supplementation, and assessing patients with suspected deficiency or exposure to high selenium levels.

The purpose of this test is to

• To measure selenium levels in the blood
• To assess nutritional and antioxidant status
• To detect selenium deficiency or toxicity
• To support evaluation of thyroid and immune function
• To monitor supplementation