Sign in →

Mayo Test ID SEWB Selenium, Blood


Ordering Guidance


This test can be used to assess tissue stores of selenium. For assessment of recent intake, order SES / Selenium, Serum.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry-based metal tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for at least 96 hours.

Container/Tube: Royal blue top (EDTA) plastic trace element blood collection tube

Specimen Volume: 0.8 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions.

2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.


Useful For

Assessment of tissue stores of selenium

Method Name

Triple-Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Reporting Name

Selenium, B

Specimen Type

Whole blood

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Whole blood Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Ambient  28 days
  Frozen  28 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK
Microtainer Reject

Clinical Information

Selenium is a naturally occurring, solid substance that is widely but unevenly distributed in the earth's crust. Selenium and its compounds are used in some photographic devices, gun bluing, plastics, paints, antidandruff shampoos, vitamin and mineral supplements, fungicides, and certain types of glass. Selenium is also used to prepare drugs and as a nutritional feed supplement for poultry and livestock. It is an essential element for humans and animals.

 

People are exposed to low levels of selenium daily through food, water, and air. Plasma and serum typically contain approximately 75% of the selenium measured in whole blood. Selenium whole blood concentrations can be used to assess tissue stores.

Reference Values

0-17 years: Not established

≥18 years: 150-241 ng/mL

Interpretation

Ultimately, any metal ion concentration value needs to be interpreted in relation to the overall clinical scenario including symptoms, physical findings, and other diagnostic results when determining further actions.

Cautions

No significant cautionary statements

Clinical Reference

1. US Department of Health and Human Services: Toxicological profile for selenium. HHS: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; 2003. Accessed February 09, 2024. Available at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp92.pdf

2. Strathmann FG, Blum LM: Toxic elements. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:chap 44

Method Description

The metal of interest is analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)

Day(s) Performed

Monday

Report Available

2 to 8 days

Specimen Retention Time

14 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

84255

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
SEWB Selenium, B 5722-4

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
65600 Selenium, B 5722-4