Population status of selenium in Colombia and associated factors: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Objectives This study aims to investigate the population status of selenium in Colombia and other associated factors. Methods Cross-sectional study, in population of urban or rural origin (n=412). Main outcome measures were: median serum selenium, thyrotropin, the prevalence of and positivity of anti-thyroid peroxidase, anti-thyroglobulin, and anti-TSH receptor. Results This study found that 96.6% of the subjects had normal selenium levels, and no significant associations were found between the population median of selenium and overweight/obesity, sociodemographic variables, age, goiter, and thyroid antibody positivity. Conclusions In Colombia, the population status of selenium is normal, and the geological characteristics may contribute to the state of selenium in this population. However, additional studies are required to evaluate the content of selenium in plants and other foods.