Do I Have Selenium Deficiency?

Do you feel constant tiredness and fatigue (you are extremely tired despite a good night sleep)?

Do you have an itchy scalp or bad dandruff?

Do you have a skin discoloration?

Do you have whitened nailbeds?

Are you prone to infections and feel like you are sick all the time?

Do you feel that you are just not functioning at your best?

Do you have memory problems, inability to focus, or poor concentration (brain fog)?

Do you have muscle weakness or pain?

Do you have shortness of breath?

Do you have a swelling in the neck resulting from an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)?

Do you have fertility problems?

If you are a woman, have you ever had recurrent miscarriage?

Did you gain weight but don’t know why?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have a selenium deficiency. Selenium is a trace mineral, which means that your body only needs a small amount of selenium to function properly. It plays a role in the functioning of several systems such as endocrine, immune and cardiovascular system. The human body cannot produce selenium, so it must be ingested through food. Selenium is found in the soil and determines concentrations in plant food. This means that the amount of selenium in plant food differ among geographic regions. For people in the US, the main food sources of selenium are grains, meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have a selenium deficiency. Selenium deficiency affects close to a billion people worldwide due to insufficient selenium intake. Selenium is an essential mineral, crucial for the function of your heart, thyroid gland, immune and reproductive system. Healthy adults need 55 mcg of selenium per day, although pregnant and breastfeeding women need more - 60 and 70 mcg per day, respectively. The diagnosis of selenium deficiency is based on blood and urine tests that reflect recent selenium intake. The concentration of selenium in your hair and nails gives a better insight into the long-term status of selenium.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have a selenium deficiency. Selenium deficiency may contribute to cardiovascular disease, impaired immune system, infertility, skeletal myopathy and cognitive decline. Treatment of selenium deficiency includes increased dietary intake and selenium supplementation. Your doctor will assess your individual needs and gives you suggestions on dosage and type of supplement. Excessive selenium intake can have toxic effects on your body and you may experience hair loss, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. People with thyroid conditions and weakened immune system will need to correct selenium deficiency faster than others.