Selenium Dosage

Although a Recommended Dietary Allowance of selenium has been established, it is difficult to recommend a standard selenium dosage. However, most people in the United States get plenty of selenium solely through their food consumption. Typically, most adult multivitamins contain 55 mcg or less of selenium per dose. If you are considering using a selenium supplement, make sure it is made by a reputable manufacturer.

 

Selenium Dosage: An Introduction

It is difficult to recommend a standard selenium dosage. Although an RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) has been determined for selenium, the dietary intake can vary, based on the diet and geographic location. Some parts of the world have low soil levels and, therefore, low food levels of selenium. However, most people in the United States get plenty of selenium through food.
 

What Is a Reasonable Selenium Dose?

The Institute of Medicine has established an RDA for selenium. Also, for nutrients that can cause toxicity, a "Tolerable Upper Intake Level" (UL) is given. Refer to the following table for the RDA and UL values for selenium.
 
Age
RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance)
UL (Tolerable Upper Intake Level)
1 to 3 years
20 mcg per day
90 mcg per day
4 to 8 years
30 mcg per day
150 mcg per day
9 to 13 years
40 mcg per day
280 mcg per day
14 years and older
55 mcg per day
400 mcg per day
Pregnant women
60 mcg per day
400 mcg per day
Breastfeeding women
70 mcg per day
400 mcg per day
Typically, most adult multivitamins contain 55 mcg or less of selenium per dose. Other types of supplements, such as those that contain just selenium or selenium plus a few other vitamins and minerals, may contain significantly more selenium.
 
(Selenium Dosage Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;