Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry
Investigation Name:Selenium – Plasma/Serum
Alias or Abbreviation:Se, serum trace elements
Accreditation:UKAS Accredited ISO15189:2022 On scope
Intro:
Indications for measuring plasma/serum selenium include malabsorption or malnutrition, where selenium deficiency is suspected, monitoring of patients on total parenteral nutrition, or suspected toxicity.Plasma/serum selenium is a good index of recent (months) changes in intake or exposure to the element. However, it is a negative acute-phase reactant and concomitant measurement of C-reactive protein may be useful as an aid to interpreting low selenium concentrations.
Pathology Laboratory:Trace Metals Laboratory
Requestable Seperately?Yes
Units:µmol/L
Minimum Sample Volume:100 µL whole blood
Expected Turnaround Time:7 working days.
Urgent analysis where clinically indicated may be arranged directly with the laboratory.
Sample Type:
Preferred: Trace element free sodium heparin plasma.Accepted: Lithium heparin plasma, serum (with or without gel separation system) but see notes re: zinc.
Complex Reference Range:<18 months: 0.4-0.7 umol/L
18 months to 4 years: 0.6-1.1 umol/L
5 to 16 years: 0.7-1.5 umol/L
Adult (>16 years): 0.9-1.7 umol/L
Collection Conditions / Other Information:Separate serum/plasma from cells within 6 hours of sample collection.
Haemolysed samples are unsuitable.
Note: Lithium heparin tubes or serum tubes without a gel separation system require contamination testing prior to use for measuring zinc. Tubes with a gel separator and tubes with a black o-ring are not suitable for zinc.
Gadolinium from contrast media may interfere with the measurement of selenium by ICP-MS. Please wait at least 6 weeks after administration of gadolinium-containing contrast media before collecting a sample for selenium, wherever possible.
Referred to Another Laboratory?No
EQA Scheme:UK NEQAS for Trace Elements
Further information:We are a UKAS ISO15189 accredited laboratory and a designated Supra-Regional Assay Service (SAS) Laboratory for Trace Elements.
Lead Contact Details:Dr Nicola Barlow, Consultant Clinical Scientist,
SAS Director Trace Elements Laboratory,
Email: nicola.barlow1@nhs.net
Email Address For Chasing Results:rwh-tr.bcpsspecialistchemistryenquiries@nhs.net
Methodology:Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Site Sample Tested:Sandwell Health Campus
Cost:Please email: bcpspathology.info@nhs.net for further details
Contact Number:0121 507 5162
