How much selenium is toxic
Mia Horton
Updated on April 10, 2026
GroupRecommended Dietary AllowanceAdults and children 14 and up55 micrograms/dayPregnant women60 micrograms/day
At what level is selenium toxic?
In the published reports reviewed herein, serum selenium concentrations span the following ranges: 400–30,000 μg/L associated with acute toxicity, 500–1400 μg/L associated with chronic toxicity, and <1400 μg/L free of toxicity; the category is determined by signs and symptoms in the patient.
Can too much selenium hurt you?
Taking doses above 400 mcg can increase the risk of developing selenium toxicity. Taking lower doses long-term can increase the risk of developing diabetes. High doses of selenium can cause significant side effects including nausea, vomiting, nail changes, loss of energy, and irritability.
Is 200 mcg of selenium too much?
Selenium is suggested in doses of no more than 200 mcg per day. The treatment range for selenium is narrow. You shouldn’t take too much. The recommended dose is 100 mcg to 200 mcg per day.Is 500 mcg of selenium too much?
When taken by mouth: Selenium is likely safe when taken in doses less than 400 mcg daily, short-term. But selenium is possibly unsafe when taken in high doses or for a long time. Taking doses above 400 mcg daily can increase the risk of developing selenium toxicity.
What is the maximum amount of selenium per day?
UL: The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for selenium for all adults 19+ years of age and pregnant and lactating women is 400 micrograms daily; a UL is the maximum daily intake unlikely to cause harmful effects on health.
Is selenium toxicity reversible?
Most of the toxic effects are reversible. Untreated acute/chronic toxicity may be fatal 4.
Can I take 400 mg of selenium?
Talk to your doctor before taking more than the recommended daily allowance of selenium. Although some studies have used doses of 200 mcg, there is some evidence that this amount could increase your risk for diabetes. DO NOT exceed the upper tolerable limit of 400 mcg.Is 70 mcg of selenium too much?
In some studies to determine if selenium could aid in prostate cancer prevention, men took 100 micrograms daily. The safe upper limit for selenium is 400 micrograms a day in adults. Anything above that is considered an overdose.
Can you take selenium and zinc together?No interactions were found between selenium and Zinc. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Article first time published onHow do you get rid of selenium toxicity?
Treatment involves discontinuation of the source of excessive intake and supportive care. There is no known antidote or suitable chelator. In a published11 case of selenium poisoning, the patient took 10 tablets a day for 2 weeks following a loading dose of a supplement containing an unknown amount of selenium.
What are the signs of selenium toxicity?
Selenium toxicity can occur with acute or chronic ingestion of excess selenium. Symptoms of selenium toxicity include nausea; vomiting; nail discoloration, brittleness, and loss; hair loss; fatigue; irritability; and foul breath odor (often described as “garlic breath”). Selenium is found in the environment in soil.
How much selenium is in an egg?
One large egg can add about 28% of your daily selenium requirement. Most of this content is concentrated in the egg’s yolk. However, the egg whites have about 9 micrograms of selenium, which is a great option for people watching their cholesterol intake.
Is 255 mcg of selenium too much?
The National Institutes of Health recommends that people over the age of 14 try to get 55 micrograms (mcg) of selenium per day. For women who are pregnant or lactating, this increases to 70 mcg. Anything over 900 mcg per day can be toxic.
Is 250 mcg of selenium too much?
While the Recommended Dietary Allowance for most adults is 55 mcg per day, an adult intake of 100–200 mcg of selenium per day is recommended by many doctors.
Can you take selenium and vitamin D together?
No interactions were found between selenium and Vitamin D3. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
What time is best to take selenium?
intake of selenium: the best time of day Many people wonder when is the right time to take selenium. Taking it is independent of the time of day. However, selenium in the form of dietary supplements should always be taken with a meal if you have problems taking capsules and tablets on an empty stomach.
How do I know if I need selenium?
Signs of too much selenium include a garlic-like odor on your breath and a metallic taste in your mouth. When foods high in selenium aren’t an option, selenium supplements can also help. Many multivitamins contain selenium, but you can also find it as a standalone product.
What is a normal selenium level?
Selenium accumulates in biological tissue. The normal concentration in adult human blood serum is 70 to 150 ng/mL (0.15 parts per million) with a population mean value of 98 ng/mL.
What happens if you eat 10 Brazil nuts?
If you eat too many, or consume them in addition to selenium supplements, you could ingest too much selenium. This may result in selenosis which can cause symptoms such as hair loss and brittle nails in some individuals.
How much selenium should I take daily for thyroid?
The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies recommends that healthy people age 14 years and older get 55 mcg of selenium daily from all sources. The recommendation goes up to 60 mcg per day if you’re pregnant and 70 mcg per day if you’re breastfeeding.
Can Too Much Zinc be bad for you?
Can zinc be harmful? Yes, if you get too much. Signs of too much zinc include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and headaches.
Does selenium build up in the body?
The amount that builds up in the body depends on the chemical form of the selenium. It builds up mostly in the liver and kidneys but also in the blood, lungs, heart, and testes. Selenium can build up in the nails and in hair, depending on time and amount of exposure.
Can selenium and vitamin C be taken together?
No interactions were found between selenium and Vitamin C. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Can you take selenium with magnesium?
Selenium combined with magnesium is a promising therapeutic strategy with lipid-lowering and antioxidative effects that protects the liver against hyperlipidemia.
Can too much selenium cause high blood pressure?
Higher selenium levels have been associated with diseases such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus. A recent longitudinal study suggests that selenium may have a harmful role in the development of hypertension in the elderly [12].
How much zinc and selenium should I take for thyroid?
Zinc is needed for thyroid hormone production, and a deficiency can result in hypothyroidism. When used alone or in combination with selenium, 30 mg of zinc per day may help enhance thyroid function in people with Hashimoto’s disease ( 20 , 21 ).
How do you check your selenium level?
Diagnosing selenium deficiency can be done with a blood test, which indicated recent selenium intake. Hair or nail samples can also be taken which gives a better indication of long-term selenium status.
Why would my selenium be high?
Causes of selenosis range from ingestion of excessive selenium, as is the case of regular snacking on Brazil nuts which could contain up to 90 µg of selenium per nut. There are also many other plants that have the capability to concentrate selenium that is taken up from the soil, which are termed selenium accumulators.
How much selenium do I need per day NZ?
Age (years)RDI* Selenium (µg/day)Men19-70+70Women19-70+60Pregnant women14-5065Breastfeeding women14-5075
How much selenium is in a banana?
Bananas. One cup of chopped banana offers 2 mcg of selenium, or 3 percent of your daily recommended intake.