Selenium (Red Cell)
Private Selenium (Red Cell) testing in London for £59, measuring one longer-term selenium marker with results expected in around 1 day.
Turnaround time
1 business day
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Selenium (Red Cell) Test
The Selenium (Red Cell) blood test measures selenium concentration within red blood cells, providing information about longer-term selenium status.
The test assesses 1 nutritional biomarker: Red Cell Selenium.
Selenium is an essential trace element required in small quantities.
It forms part of specialised proteins known as selenoproteins.
These proteins contribute to antioxidant defence, thyroid hormone metabolism and normal immune function.
One important selenium-dependent enzyme is Glutathione Peroxidase, which helps reduce potentially damaging peroxides.
Selenium is also required by enzymes involved in conversion and metabolism of thyroid hormones.
Red-cell testing provides a different perspective from serum Selenium.
Serum concentrations can respond more quickly to recent dietary intake or supplementation.
Red blood cells reflect selenium incorporated over a longer period and can therefore provide information about more sustained selenium status.
Low Selenium can result from inadequate intake, restrictive diets, malabsorption or prolonged parenteral nutrition without adequate trace-element replacement.
Excess is also clinically relevant.
Long-term high-dose supplementation can cause selenosis, with symptoms including brittle nails, hair changes, gastrointestinal upset and characteristic breath odour.
For this reason, supplementation should not be increased simply because Selenium is perceived as an antioxidant.
The result is most useful when interpreted alongside supplement intake, diet and the laboratory reference range.
What Does the Selenium (Red Cell) Test Check?
The test measures selenium contained within red blood cells to provide an indication of longer-term selenium status. This test measures 1 biomarker.
Red Cell Selenium
Measures selenium concentration within red blood cells, supporting assessment of longer-term selenium status and investigation of deficiency or excessive supplementation.
Who May Benefit From the Selenium (Red Cell) Test?
Red Cell Selenium can be useful where longer-term trace-mineral status needs to be assessed.
People taking long-term Selenium supplements - Testing can help identify excessive intake.
People with restricted or nutritionally limited diets - Low dietary selenium intake can occur when food variety is limited.
People with malabsorption or gastrointestinal disease - Reduced nutrient absorption can affect trace-mineral status.
People with previous low Selenium results - Red-cell testing can provide information about longer-term status.
People undergoing broader mineral assessment - Selenium can be considered with Zinc, Copper and other trace minerals.
People with thyroid disease where nutritional Selenium status is clinically relevant - Selenium is involved in thyroid hormone metabolism.
People receiving long-term nutritional support - Trace-element monitoring can be important in selected patients.
People concerned about excessive supplementation - Red-cell measurement can help identify accumulation.
How to Prepare
Do not take extra Selenium immediately before the test in an attempt to improve the result.
Supplementation should be based on measured need rather than the assumption that more Selenium is beneficial.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Selenium (Red Cell) Test
Mild selenium abnormalities may produce no specific symptoms, while significant deficiency or excess can affect several systems.
Long-term restrictive diet - Limited food variety can reduce trace-mineral intake.
Persistent malabsorption - Gastrointestinal disease can interfere with Selenium uptake.
High-dose Selenium supplementation - Excessive intake can produce toxicity.
Hair or nail changes with significant supplementation - Selenosis can affect hair and nails.
A previous abnormal Selenium result - Repeat testing can assess longer-term status.
A broader nutritional or trace-mineral assessment - Selenium can be considered alongside other micronutrients.
Symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss or thyroid symptoms are non-specific and should not be attributed to selenium status from symptoms alone.
Excessive Selenium supplementation can be harmful.
How to Book Your Selenium (Red Cell) Test
The Selenium (Red Cell) test can be booked privately for focused assessment of longer-term Selenium status.
Choose the Selenium (Red Cell)
Select the individual Red Cell Selenium blood test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy where suitable.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required whole-blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your specimen undergoes measurement of Red Cell Selenium.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised result is delivered securely and can be interpreted alongside diet, supplementation and other mineral measurements.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current live London Blood Tests page lists a turnaround of approximately 1 day after laboratory receipt for Selenium (Red Cell).
The sample undergoes trace-element analysis, laboratory quality-control procedures and result authorisation.
Understanding Your Results
A low Red Cell Selenium result suggests reduced longer-term selenium status.
Possible contributors include inadequate intake or impaired absorption.
A result within range suggests red-cell selenium concentrations are consistent with the laboratory's expected interval.
A high result can occur with substantial or prolonged supplementation.
Persistently excessive Selenium exposure can lead to toxicity.
Red-cell Selenium and serum Selenium should not be compared as though they are identical tests because they reflect different sample compartments.
The laboratory's own reference interval should always guide interpretation.
Changes to supplementation should take account of the measured result, dietary intake and clinical context.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides private Red Cell Selenium testing for longer-term nutritional assessment.
Measures Selenium within red blood cells - This provides a different view from serum Selenium.
Reflects longer-term mineral status - Red-cell concentrations are less focused on very recent intake.
Relevant to supplementation monitoring - Testing can identify potentially excessive as well as low levels.
Supports broader nutritional assessment - Selenium can be interpreted alongside other trace minerals.
Relevant to antioxidant enzyme systems - Selenium is required by several important selenoproteins.
Rapid laboratory turnaround - Results are expected approximately 1 day after laboratory receipt.
Professional blood collection - Clinic and suitable home or hotel phlebotomy appointments are available.
Clear pricing - The Selenium (Red Cell) test costs £59.
Private Selenium (Red Cell) Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Selenium (Red Cell) testing for people requiring assessment of longer-term selenium status.
The test costs £59 and measures 1 nutritional biomarker: Red Cell Selenium.
Results are expected approximately 1 day after laboratory receipt.
The result should be interpreted in relation to diet, supplementation and the laboratory reference interval.