Selenium deficiency

Reduced body selenium stores. Develops in regions with low soil selenium (eastern Siberia, north-eastern China – Keshan disease), in malabsorption syndromes, long-term parenteral nutrition, and severe alcohol use disorder. Presents with cardiomyopathy, myopathy, hypothyroidism, and immunodeficiency.

ICD-10 E591 drug

Also known as: Hyposelenosis

Drugs used for this condition

ASelenium (oral salts and chelates: selenomethionine, sodium selenite, selenium yeast)First line · Mineral supplements. Trace elementsSelenium preparations are first-line for confirmed selenium deficiency. Treatment dose: 100–200 µg elemental selenium daily for 1–3 months with plasma selenium monitoring. In residents of regions with low soil selenium (eastern Siberia, north-western Russia), supplementation at the RDA is reasonable on a varied diet but not mandatory. In patients on long-term parenteral nutrition, daily supplementation of 60–100 µg is standard.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit