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Selenium deficiency

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

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Overview

Selenium deficiency is relatively rare in healthy well-nourished individuals. Few cases in humans have been reported.

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Selenium Deficiency from Other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Prevention

References

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Historical Perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

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Overview

Historical Perspective

References

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Classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

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Overview

Classification

References

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Pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

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Overview

Pathophysiology

References

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Causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

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Overview

Selenium deficiency is relatively rare in healthy well-nourished individuals. Few cases in humans have been reported.

Causes

It can occur in patients with severely compromised intestinal function, those undergoing total parenteral nutrition, those who have had gastrointestinal bypass surgery, and also in persons of advanced age (i.e., over 90).[1]

People dependent on food grown from selenium-deficient soil may be at risk for deficiency.

For some time now, it has been reported in medical literature that a pattern of side-effects possibly associated with cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.g., statins) may resemble the pathology of selenium deficiency.[2][3]

References

  1. Ravaglia, Giovanni; Forti, Paola; Maioli, Fabiola; Bastagli, Luciana; Facchini, Andrea; Mariani, Erminia; Savarino, Lucia; Sassi, Simonetta; et al. (2000). “Effect of micronutrient status on natural killer cell immune function in healthy free-living subjects aged ≥90 y”. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 71 (2): 590–8. PMID 10648276.
  2. Moosmann, B; Behl, C (2004). “Selenoprotein synthesis and side-effects of statins”. Lancet. 363 (9412): 892–4. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(04)15739-5. PMID 15031036.
  3. Moosmann, B; Behl, C (2004). “Selenoproteins, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and the consequences: Revisiting of the mevalonate pathway”. Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine. 14 (7): 273–81. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2004.08.003. PMID 15542379.

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Differentiating Any Disease from other Diseases

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

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Overview

Differential Diagnosis

References

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Epidemiology and Demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

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Overview

Selenium deficiency is relatively rare in healthy well-nourished individuals. Few cases in humans have been reported.

Epidemiology and prevention

These diseases are most common in certain parts of China where the intake is low[1] because the soil is extremely deficient in selenium. Studies in Jiangsu Province of China have indicated a reduction in the prevalence of these diseases by taking selenium supplements.[2] In Finland, selenium salts are added to chemical fertilizers, as a way to increase selenium in soils.[3]

References

  1. “Selenium: Mineral Deficiency and Toxicity: Merck Manual Professional”. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  2. “Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Selenium — Health Professional Fact Sheet”. ods.od.nih.gov. Retrieved 2015-09-08.
  3. Varo, Pertti; Alfihan, Georg; Ekholm, Paivi; Aro, Antti; Koivistoinen, Pekka (1988). “Selenium intake and serum selenium in Finland: effects of soil fertilization with selenium” (PDF). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Retrieved 8 September 2015.

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Risk Factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

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Overview

Risk Factors

References

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Screening

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

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Overview

Screening

References

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Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

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Overview

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

References

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Electrocardiogram | X Ray | CT | MRI | Echocardiography or Ultrasound | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case Studies

Case #1

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