Selenium Serum Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Selenium Serum Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Serum Selenium, Se Serum, Selenium Blood Test |
| Sample Type | Venous blood (serum) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required; avoid selenium supplements for at least 1 week before the test |
| Report Time | 3 to 7 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages, especially individuals with malabsorption disorders, those on parenteral nutrition, or with occupational selenium exposure |
| Price | Starting at ₹3500 |
What Is a Selenium Serum Test?
The selenium serum test measures the amount of selenium circulating in your blood. Selenium is a trace mineral, meaning the body needs it in very small amounts, that plays a key role in antioxidant protection, thyroid hormone function, and immune health.
Also called the Se serum test, this test is ordered when a doctor suspects a patient may have too little or too much selenium. A blood sample drawn from a vein in the arm is used for analysis.
What Does a Selenium Serum Test Measure?
The test evaluates a single key parameter: the concentration of selenium in your blood serum. Serum reflects your recent dietary selenium intake and accounts for approximately 75% of the selenium found in whole blood.
| Parameter | What It Indicates |
|---|---|
| Serum Selenium Concentration | Whether selenium levels in the body are adequate, deficient, or elevated |
Selenium acts as a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme that breaks down harmful compounds in cells. When selenium is low, this protective enzyme loses activity, and cell membranes can be damaged by unstable molecules called free radicals.
Why Is a Selenium Serum Test Done?
A doctor may order a selenium blood test for several reasons, including suspected deficiency, possible toxicity, or ongoing monitoring of a known condition.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Your doctor may recommend this test if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent fatigue and low energy
- Muscle weakness without a clear cause
- Unusual hair loss or thinning
- Brittle or discoloured nails
- Difficulty concentrating or cognitive changes
- Frequent infections or a weakened immune system
- Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This serum selenium test can assist in identifying several health conditions:
- Keshan disease: A form of heart muscle disease linked to selenium deficiency.
- Kashin-Beck disease: A disorder affecting bones, cartilage, and joints.
- Selenium deficiency: Contributes to or worsens hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).
- Selenosis (selenium toxicity) from over-supplementation or occupational exposure.
- Impaired immune function, reproductive problems, and neurological symptoms related to abnormal selenium levels.
Selenium Serum Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
This test is performed regularly, typically every 6 months, to assess whether selenium levels are adequate in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (nutrition delivered directly into the bloodstream).
It is also used to monitor individuals with chronic malabsorption conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, who may be at ongoing risk of deficiency.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparation for the selenium serum test is straightforward, but a few steps help ensure accurate results.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required before this test. You can eat and drink normally on the day of your appointment.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep the following points in mind before your appointment:
- Inform your doctor about all supplements, vitamins, minerals, and non-prescription medications you are taking, as these may affect selenium levels.
- Ask your doctor whether to pause any selenium-containing supplements before the test.
- If you have recently had an imaging scan using contrast dye (such as gadolinium, iodine, or barium), inform your doctor; the sample should not be collected for at least 96 hours after contrast media is administered.
- Drink adequate water and stay well hydrated.
- Wear loose clothing that allows easy access to your arm for blood collection.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is what to expect during the sample collection:
- A trained phlebotomist will clean the skin on your inner arm with an antiseptic solution.
- A small blood sample is drawn using a specialised trace element collection tube.
- The serum is separated from blood cells promptly, ideally within two hours of collection.
- The sample is transferred into a certified metal-free transport tube to prevent contamination.
- The sample is dispatched to a NABL-accredited laboratory for further analysis.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence your test result. Be aware of the following:
- Recent consumption of selenium-rich foods such as Brazil nuts or seafood.
- Use of selenium supplements or multivitamins.
- Recent imaging procedures using contrast media.
- Poor hydration at the time of collection.
- Use of a non-certified or standard blood collection tube instead of a trace element-free tube.
- Improper handling or delayed separation of the sample.
Understanding Your Selenium Serum Test Results
Your results should always be reviewed by a doctor who can consider your full medical history, symptoms, and other test findings. The table below shows general reference ranges for adults.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Low (Deficiency) | High (Toxicity Risk) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum Selenium (Adults) | 110 to 165 mcg/L | Below 40 mcg/L | Above 165 mcg/L |
| Supplementation Target | Above 70 mcg/L | - | - |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain health conditions and treatments can influence selenium levels:
- Patients undergoing long-term haemodialysis often show lower selenium concentrations. This is partly because haemodialysis removes some selenium from the blood, and these patients may have limited dietary intake due to dietary restrictions.
- Conditions associated with oxidative stress, including alcoholism and HIV infection, can reduce selenium absorption and lead to lower levels.
- Similarly, inflammatory bowel disease is associated with selenium deficiency, and levels tend to decline as disease severity increases.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general tips may support a healthy selenium status:
- Include selenium-rich foods in your diet; good natural sources include Brazil nuts, seafood, eggs, lean meat, and whole grains.
- Avoid taking high-dose selenium supplements without medical guidance, as selenium has a narrow range between a beneficial and a harmful dose.
- Speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen.
Lupin Diagnostics Selenium Serum Test Price and Home Collection
The selenium serum test price starts at approximately ₹3500, with home sample collection available across cities. The following table shows indicative prices across major Indian cities:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Delhi/NCR | ₹3,500 |
| Mumbai | ₹3,500 |
| Bangalore | ₹3,500 |
| Chennai | ₹3,500 |
| Hyderabad | ₹3,500 |
| Kolkata | ₹3,500 |
| Pune | ₹3,500 |
| Ahmedabad | ₹3,500 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps to book your selenium serum test:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home sample collection for the selenium blood test across cities, making it easy to get tested without visiting a centre. A certified phlebotomist visits your home, collects the blood sample using the correct trace element-free tubes, and dispatches it to an NABL-accredited laboratory for analysis. Your digital report is shared via email or WhatsApp once ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Selenium is a trace mineral that the body requires in small amounts for antioxidant defence, thyroid hormone regulation, and immune function. It supports an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which protects cells from oxidative damage.
No, fasting is not required. The main preparation step is to avoid selenium-containing supplements for at least one week before the test. This helps ensure your result reflects your actual selenium status rather than recent supplement intake.
The serum selenium test is particularly useful for people with malabsorption disorders, those on long-term parenteral nutrition, individuals with thyroid symptoms, and people with occupational exposure to selenium. Your doctor will advise whether this test is appropriate for you.
Low levels may indicate insufficient dietary intake, poor absorption due to a gastrointestinal condition, or increased demands on the body. Low selenium has been associated with an increased risk of heart and joint conditions, thyroid dysfunction, impaired immunity, and reproductive health concerns. Your doctor will advise on the next steps.
Yes. Excess selenium, a condition called selenosis, can result from over-supplementation, high dietary intake, or occupational exposure. Symptoms may include hair loss, nail changes, nausea, fatigue, and mild nerve-related symptoms. A selenium blood test can confirm whether levels are elevated.
Selenium plays a role in thyroid hormone metabolism, and deficiency can worsen hypothyroidism. While the Se serum test alone cannot diagnose thyroid conditions, it provides your doctor with useful information when evaluating your thyroid health alongside other tests.
Your doctor may advise you to pause selenium-containing supplements, multivitamins, and certain over-the-counter medications before the test, as these can affect results. Always follow your doctor's specific instructions.
Selenium Serum Test: Booking, Price, and Results
