Selenium concentration in plasma and erythrocytes in a healthy Slovak population.

To obtain reference values for plasma and erythrocyte selenium concentrations blood specimens were collected from healthy adults from the Bratislava region. In 174 people, 20 to 60 years old, a plasma Se concentration of 56.2 +/- 8.5 micrograms/L and in 133 persons an erythrocyte Se level of 95.3 +/- 16.3 micrograms/kg were found (mean +/- SD). Selenium levels showed a normal distribution in plasma and erythrocytes. No differences were found according to sex or age. These results indicate that the Slovak population has a low Se status, with values for plasma Se being among the lowest in Europe.