Selenium is an essential element to maintain activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of organic hydroperoxides. The absence of selenium can cause loss of GSH-Px activity and is associated with damage to cell membranes due to accumulation of free radicals.
Serum Selenium is a blood test useful for monitoring Selenium replacement therapy specially patients with no functional bowel, on parenteral selenium supplementation.
The normal concentration in adult human blood serum is 70 to 150 ng/mL (0.15 parts per million) with a population mean value of 98 ng/mL. 0-2 months: 45-90 ng/mL
3-6 months: 50-120 ng/mL
7-9 months: 60-120 ng/mL
10-12 months: 70-130 ng/mL
>1 year: 70-150 ng/mL
