Meta Information
ID:selenium
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/condition/renal-impairment
Target name:
Renal Impairment
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The kidneys are responsible for excreting excess selenium. In individuals with severe kidney disease, selenium can accumulate to toxic levels, a condition known as selenosis.
Actionable advice:
Avoid selenium supplements if you have severe kidney disease, unless specifically directed by a nephrologist.
Target id:
/class/chemotherapy-radiation
Target name:
Cytotoxic Cancer Therapies (Chemotherapy & Radiation)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
As a potent antioxidant, selenium could theoretically interfere with the effectiveness of certain chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy that rely on generating oxidative stress to destroy cancer cells.
Actionable advice:
Avoid selenium supplements during active cancer treatment unless specifically directed by your oncologist.
Target id:
/condition/iodine-deficiency
Target name:
Iodine Deficiency
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
In the presence of iodine deficiency, high selenium intake can exacerbate hypothyroidism by increasing the conversion of T4 to T3, which rapidly depletes the body's scarce thyroid hormone stores.
Actionable advice:
Ensure your iodine status is adequate before starting high-dose selenium supplementation.
Target id:
/intervention/iodine
Target name:
Iodine
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Selenium is an essential cofactor for deiodinase enzymes, which are required to convert inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into its active form (T3). Adequate selenium is necessary for proper iodine utilization.
Actionable advice:
Ensure adequate selenium intake when supplementing with iodine to support healthy thyroid function.
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
High doses of selenium (typically above 400 mcg/day) may inhibit platelet aggregation, potentially increasing the risk of bleeding when combined with medications that thin the blood like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin.
Actionable advice:
Consult your doctor before combining, especially with selenium doses over 200 mcg/day.
Target id:
/condition/diabetes-mellitus
Target name:
Diabetes or High Risk for Diabetes
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Some large-scale clinical trials and observational studies have linked long-term supplementation with selenium (typically 200 mcg/day or more) to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Actionable advice:
Avoid long-term, high-dose selenium supplementation if you have or are at high risk for diabetes.
Target id:
/condition/history-of-skin-cancer
Target name:
History of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The Nutritional Prevention of Cancer (NPC) and SELECT trials observed a small but statistically significant increase in squamous cell carcinoma and total non-melanoma skin cancer in individuals taking selenium supplements.
Actionable advice:
If you have a history of skin cancer, consult your dermatologist before taking selenium supplements.
Target id:
/procedure/elective-surgery
Target name:
Elective Surgery
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
336
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Due to its potential effects on blood clotting, it is often recommended to discontinue high-dose selenium supplementation before scheduled surgery to minimize any potential increase in bleeding risk.
Actionable advice:
Stop taking selenium supplements at least 2 weeks prior to any scheduled surgery.
Target id:
/intervention/vitamin_c_systemic_healthspan
Target name:
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
High doses of Vitamin C can chemically reduce inorganic selenium (selenite) to its elemental form in the gut, which is poorly absorbed. This interaction is less significant with organic selenium forms like selenomethionine.
Actionable advice:
Separate high-dose Vitamin C from inorganic selenium (selenite) by at least 2 hours.
Target id:
/dietary/meal
Target name:
Any Caloric Meal
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Taking selenium supplements with food can enhance absorption and significantly reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea or stomach upset.
Actionable advice:
Always take selenium supplements with a meal.
Target id:
/condition/hashimotos-thyroiditis
Target name:
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Selenium supplementation, typically at 200 mcg/day, has been shown in multiple studies to reduce thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and improve thyroid structure and well-being in individuals with Hashimoto's.
Actionable advice:
If you have Hashimoto's, discuss selenium supplementation with your endocrinologist.
Target id:
/class/statins
Target name:
Statins (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Some evidence suggests that antioxidant cocktails including selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C may slightly blunt the HDL-cholesterol-raising benefit of statins, particularly when they are taken with niacin.
Actionable advice:
This interaction is minor and its clinical significance is debated; no action is typically required.
Target id:
/intervention/zinc
Target name:
Zinc Supplements
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
High doses of zinc and selenium can compete for similar absorption pathways in the small intestine, which may slightly reduce the bioavailability of both minerals when taken simultaneously.
Actionable advice:
Separate high-dose zinc and selenium supplements by at least 2 hours for optimal absorption.
Target id:
/intervention/vitamin-e
Target name:
Vitamin E
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Selenium, as a key component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, and Vitamin E work synergistically to protect cells from oxidative damage in different cellular compartments.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking Vitamin E and selenium in the same regimen to support antioxidant defenses.
Target id:
/dietary/high-mercury-fish
Target name:
High-Mercury Fish (e.g., Tuna, Swordfish)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Selenium has a very high binding affinity for mercury, forming a biologically inert mercury-selenide complex. This interaction can mitigate the toxic effects of mercury exposure from dietary sources.
Actionable advice:
Ensuring adequate selenium intake may be beneficial if your diet is high in mercury-containing fish.
Target id:
/class/gold-compounds
Target name:
Gold Salts (e.g., Auranofin)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Gold-based medications, used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, can bind to selenium and decrease its levels and the activity of selenoenzymes in the body.
Actionable advice:
If taking gold salts, discuss your selenium status and potential need for supplementation with your doctor.