TLDR Excessive selenium from a supplement caused toxicity but patients recovered with care.
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.
29 citations,
February 2004 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes” Men with early balding often have hormone levels similar to women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
26 citations,
January 2018 in “Skin appendage disorders” Thallium, mercury, selenium, and colchicine strongly cause hair loss.
12 citations,
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30 citations,
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134 citations,
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6 citations,
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