Serum selenium levels in healthy women in Tabriz, Iran

BACKGROUND: Selenium is of fundamental importance to human health, and selenium deficiency is associated with disease conditions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the serum level of selenium in women of childbearing age and postmenopausal women living in Tabriz, Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 60 healthy women of childbearing age and 60 healthy postmenopausal women were studied with the use of biochemical methods (measurement of serum selenium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry), anthropometric measurements (weight and height), and interviews. RESULTS: The average serum selenium was 76.67 +/- 17.98 microg/L (range, 42.00 to 166.61 microg/L). This level was lower than those reported in other provinces of Iran and some other countries. Sixty-nine women (57.5%) had serum selenium concentrations under 80 microg/L. There was no significant difference in selenium level between the two groups of women. Serum selenium level did not vary with age and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Some Iranian women are of borderline selenium status and as a consequence are more susceptible to selenium-deficiency diseases. There is a need for community-based programs to encourage people to increase consumption of selenium-rich sources, such as marine foods.