Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry
Investigation Name:Selenium – Urine
Alias or Abbreviation:Urine Se, 24 hour urine selenium excretion, urine selenium to creatinine ratio
Accreditation:UKAS ISO15189 : 2022 Accredited test: On scope
Intro:
While selenium is a nutritionally essential element, toxicity, as a result of occupational exposure (e.g., electronics, glass and rubber industries), excessive supplementation or consumption of foods grown in seleniferous soils, may cause gastrointestinal upset, pulmonary oedema and alopecia.Although plasma/ serum is the preferred matrix for assessment of selenium status, measurement of urine selenium may be useful in chronic occupational exposure or excessive acute ingestion as selenium is primarily excreted renally (~70%).
However, urine selenium concentrations vary widely and elevated urinary concentrations should be interpreted alongside a plasma measurement to assess degree of absorption. For investigation of occupational exposure, collection of a 24 hour urine is ideal but it is often more convenient to collect a random (end of shift, end of working week) for selenium to creatinine ratio.
Pathology Laboratory:Trace Elements Laboratory
Requestable Seperately?Yes
Units:µmol/24 hours (24 hour collection),
nmol/mmol creatinine (spot urine)
Minimum Sample Volume:2ml Urine
Expected Turnaround Time:7 working days.
Urgent analysis where clinically indicated may be arranged directly with the laboratory.
Test Code:USE
Sample Type:
24h urine collection in polypropylene collection container or acid-rinsed polyethylene container.Specimens can be aliquoted into a plain white -top universal container prior to transportation.
24 hour collection period dates, time and total volume MUST be recorded.
Spot urine collected into a plain white -top universal container
Complex Reference Range:24 hour urine selenium:
154 to 667 nmol/24h
Random (spot) urine selenium to creatinine ratio:
18.4 to 53.6 nmol/mmol creatinine
Random urine selenium:
160 to 850 nmol/L
Referred to Another Laboratory?No
Storage Requirements:Store separated plasma/serum at 4°C prior to dispatch
Posting Address / Requirements:Ambient temperature, 1st class post.
Sandwell Health Campus,
Specialist Chemistry,
Pathology Department,
Lyndon,
B71 4HJ
NPEX / PDF Reporting Available:Both available
EQA Scheme:UK NEQAS for Trace Elements
Further information:We are 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
