Rankings / Essentials — Vitamins & Minerals
Selenium
Essentials · Mineral
Tier B+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Selenium as B+ (7.2/10) based on strong evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a low-med-risk safety profile.
Important for thyroid function (Hashimoto's).
Typical use: 55-200 mcg/day; UL 400 mcg/day; selenomethionine form preferred — OTC.
What this is
Important for thyroid function (Hashimoto's). SELECT trial found no prostate cancer benefit — even slight harm signal. 2 Brazil nuts/day provides RDA.
Mechanism
Selenoprotein cofactor (glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase); antioxidant; thyroid hormone deiodinase
Dose & route
55-200 mcg/day; UL 400 mcg/day; selenomethionine form preferred
Citations
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22419320/
- https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)61452-9/fulltext
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does Selenium work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Selenium as Strong and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of B+ (7.2/10). Important for thyroid function (Hashimoto's).
- Is Selenium safe?
- Selenium has a low-med risk profile in published human data. Legal status: OTC. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Selenium?
- 55-200 mcg/day; UL 400 mcg/day; selenomethionine form preferred
- How does Selenium work?
- Selenoprotein cofactor (glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase); antioxidant; thyroid hormone deiodinase
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.