Case Series of Selenium Toxicity from a Nutritional Supplement

In 2008, a case series of nine patients (5 males, 4 females, ages 15-57) revealed selenium toxicity due to a liquid nutritional supplement containing nearly 200 times the reported selenium amount. Symptoms, including alopecia, nail changes, gastrointestinal issues, and memory difficulties, appeared within 1 week of ingestion. The mean cumulative selenium dose was 1.3 grams over 37.5 days. Blood selenium levels ranged from 150 to 732 mcg/L, and urinary levels from 41 to 220 mcg/g Creat. All patients recovered with supportive care, highlighting the potential toxicity of excessive selenium intake.