Selenium

Selenium — dosage, safety & deals FAQ

How much Selenium do you need per day?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance for adults age 19 and older is 55 mcg per day for both men and women. During pregnancy it is 60 mcg and during lactation 70 mcg. Across all ages, recommended intakes range from 15 to 70 mcg per day depending on age and life stage. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Can you take too much Selenium?

Yes. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is 400 mcg per day for adults. Chronically high intakes cause selenosis: most commonly hair loss and nail brittleness or loss, plus garlic breath odor, metallic taste, skin rash, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, irritability, and nervous system abnormalities. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

What are the signs of Selenium deficiency?

Selenium deficiency alone rarely causes overt illness, but it produces biochemical changes that may predispose people under additional stress to certain conditions, including Keshan disease (a cardiomyopathy) and Kashin-Beck disease (a type of osteoarthritis). It could also worsen iodine deficiency, potentially raising the risk of congenital hypothyroidism in infants. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Who is most likely to need more Selenium?

Deficiency is very rare in the United States, but groups most likely to have inadequate intakes include people living in selenium-deficient regions (such as parts of China with very low soil selenium), people undergoing kidney dialysis, and people living with HIV. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

Does Selenium interact with any medications?