Acute selenium toxicity associated with a dietary supplement.
Arch Intern Med
; 170(3): 256-61, 2010 Feb 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20142570
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Selenium is an element necessary for normal cellular function, but it can have toxic effects at high doses. We investigated an outbreak of acute selenium poisoning.METHODS:
A case was defined as the onset of symptoms of selenium toxicity in a person within 2 weeks after ingesting a dietary supplement manufactured by "Company A," purchased after January 1, 2008. We conducted case finding, administered initial and 90-day follow-up questionnaires to affected persons, and obtained laboratory data where available.RESULTS:
The source of the outbreak was identified as a liquid dietary supplement that contained 200 times the labeled concentration of selenium. Of 201 cases identified in 10 states, 1 person was hospitalized. The median estimated dose of selenium consumed was 41 749 microg/d (recommended dietary allowance is 55 microg/d). Frequently reported symptoms included diarrhea (78%), fatigue (75%), hair loss (72%), joint pain (70%), nail discoloration or brittleness (61%), and nausea (58%). Symptoms persisting 90 days or longer included fingernail discoloration and loss (52%), fatigue (35%), and hair loss (29%). The mean initial serum selenium concentration of 8 patients was 751 microg/L (reference range, < or =125 microg/L). The mean initial urine selenium concentration of 7 patients was 166 microg/24 h (reference range, < or =55 microg/24 h).CONCLUSIONS:
Toxic concentrations of selenium in a liquid dietary supplement resulted in a widespread outbreak. Had the manufacturers been held to standards used in the pharmaceutical industry, it may have been prevented.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Selenium
/
Selenium Compounds
/
Dietary Supplements
/
Alopecia
/
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Incidence_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Arch Intern Med
Year:
2010
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States