What erythrocyte selenium concentration value indicates deficiency?

What erythrocyte selenium concentration value indicates deficiency?

• A. 2 U/mL
• B. <10.5 U/mL
• C. 15 U/mL
• D. 25 U/mL

Answer: (B)

Erythrocyte selenium concentration reflects longer-term selenium status because red blood cells retain selenium over their lifespan, linking the measure to body stores and selenoprotein activity. When the level falls below about 10.5 U/mL, there isn’t enough selenium to support normal selenoprotein function, which can compromise antioxidant defenses and immune function. That threshold is used to define deficiency. Values well below this, such as around 2 U/mL, indicate deficient status, while 15 U/mL or 25 U/mL are above the deficiency threshold and generally indicate sufficient or higher selenium status.

Erythrocyte selenium concentration reflects longer-term selenium status because red blood cells retain selenium over their lifespan, linking the measure to body stores and selenoprotein activity. When the level falls below about 10.5 U/mL, there isn’t enough selenium to support normal selenoprotein function, which can compromise antioxidant defenses and immune function. That threshold is used to define deficiency. Values well below this, such as around 2 U/mL, indicate deficient status, while 15 U/mL or 25 U/mL are above the deficiency threshold and generally indicate sufficient or higher selenium status.