Selenium Intake Assessment (24-Hour Recall/Estimated Intake)
This test estimates how much selenium you took in over a 24-hour period, typically by reviewing foods and supplements you consumed. It is not a direct blood measurement of selenium but an assessment of dietary intake.
["The selenium intake assessment estimates your dietary selenium from a 24-hour recall rather than measuring selenium levels directly in your body."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 81087-9
- Short code
- Selenium intake 24h Est
- Synonyms
- Selenium intake 24h Est
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 20
- Ref high
- 400
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- estimated
- CPT
- 82670
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What This Test Represents
Selenium is an essential mineral that supports thyroid function, antioxidant defenses, and normal immune activity. A 24-hour intake assessment compiles the foods, beverages, and supplements you report consuming over one day and estimates the selenium they provided.
How the Assessment Is Done
You or a clinician reviews everything you ate and drank in the past 24 hours, including portion sizes and any supplements. The selenium content of those items is estimated using food-composition data, giving an approximate daily intake rather than a measured body level.
Why It Is Used
This kind of intake review can help identify whether your usual diet appears low or adequate in selenium. It is most useful when combined with clinical evaluation and, when appropriate, direct laboratory measurements of selenium status ordered by your clinician.
Important Limitations
A single 24-hour recall reflects only one day and may not represent your usual intake. Estimates depend on how accurately foods and portions are reported and on the food-composition databases used, so results are approximate.
Reference range
Premenopausal: 20-400 pg/mL; Postmenopausal: <30 pg/mLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
Selenium Intake
Frequently asked questions
Does this test measure selenium in my blood?
Can one day of eating represent my usual selenium intake?
Should I start or stop selenium supplements based on this assessment?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy