Selenium
| Label Mnemonic: | SES |
| Epic code: | LAB4036 |
| Downtime form: | A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery |
Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Specimen(s):
Plasma
Specimen
Instructions:
Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements
may introduce interfering substances. Patients should be encouraged to
discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and non-
essential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their
physician).
Collection Medium:
 |
| Royal Blue K2 EDTA tube |
Minimum:
Preferred Minimum: 2.0 mL plasma from Royal Blue K2 EDTA tube
Rejection Criteria:
Specimens that are not separated from the red cells or clot within 2 hours. Specimens collected in containers other than specified. Specimens transported in containers other than specified.
Turn Around
Time:
6-9 days upon receipt at reference laboratory.
Reference Range:
23.0-190.0 μg/L
Interpretive Data:
Elevated results may be due to contamination from skin or other collection-related issues, including the use of a noncertified metal-free collection/transport tube. If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of serum/plasma selenium, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube is recommended.
Serum selenium levels can be used in the determination of deficiency or toxicity. Plasma and serum contains 75 percent of the selenium measured in whole blood and reflects recent dietary intake. Selenium deficiency can occur endemically or as a result of sustained TPN or restricted diets and has been associated with cardiomyopathy and may exacerbate hypothyroidism. Selenium toxicity is relatively rare. Excess intake of selenium can result in symptoms consistent with selenosis and include gastrointestinal upset, hair loss, white blotchy nails, and mild nerve damage.
Serum selenium levels can be used in the determination of deficiency or toxicity. Plasma and serum contains 75 percent of the selenium measured in whole blood and reflects recent dietary intake. Selenium deficiency can occur endemically or as a result of sustained TPN or restricted diets and has been associated with cardiomyopathy and may exacerbate hypothyroidism. Selenium toxicity is relatively rare. Excess intake of selenium can result in symptoms consistent with selenosis and include gastrointestinal upset, hair loss, white blotchy nails, and mild nerve damage.
Comments:
Note: Elevated results from noncertified trace element-free tubes may
be due to contamination. Elevated concentrations of trace elements in
serum should be confirmed with a second specimen collected in a trace
element-free tube, such as royal blue sterile tube (no additive).
Methodology:
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
CPT Code:
84255