Selenium, Serum or Plasma
0025023
Ordering Recommendation
 
Mnemonic
SE S
Methodology
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Performed
Sun-Sat
Reported
1-2 days  
New York DOH Approval Status
This test is New York DOH approved.
Submit With Order
 
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation
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).  
Collect
Royal blue (no additive) or Royal Blue (EDTA)  
Specimen Preparation
Centrifuge; do not allow serum or plasma to remain on cells. Transfer 2 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube (ARUP supply #43116). Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 0.5 mL)  
Storage/Transport Temperature
Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated or frozen.  
Unacceptable Conditions
Separator tubes. Specimens that are not separated from the red cells or clot within 6 hours.  
Remarks
  
Stability
If the specimen is drawn and stored in the appropriate container, the trace element values do not change with time.  
Reference Interval
23-190 µg/L  
Interpretive Data
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.  
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).
CPT Code(s)
84255
Components
Component Test Code*Component Chart Name
0025023Selenium, Serum/Plasma
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.
Aliases
  • Se
  • Serum selenium level
  • SES