General Wellness
Selenium Urine Test Panel Preparation: Fasting, Timing & Sample Type
- Urine sample
- General Wellness
- Prep checklist included
At a glance
Selenium Urine Test Panel: prep snapshot
- Sample type
- Urine sample
- Fasting
- Fasting is usually not required for this test, but requirements can vary.
- Best collection time
- A urine sample can typically be collected when you visit the collection site.
- Typical turnaround
- Varies by collection lab
- Category
- General Wellness
This page explains how to prepare for a Selenium Urine Test, what the test measures, and what to confirm with the collection lab. The Selenium Urine Test measures how much selenium is present in your urine.
Selenium Urine Test: what it measures
It measures the amount of selenium excreted in the urine. The result reflects recent selenium intake and body levels. It does not measure other minerals or vitamins.
Getting ready for the Selenium Urine Test
Expect little to no preparation for this test. Confirm timing or fasting details with the collection site when scheduling.
- Confirm with the collection site whether any fasting or timing instructions apply.
- Stay hydrated unless your lab tells you otherwise.
- Avoid taking selenium-containing supplements before collection unless your clinician says it is fine.
- Tell the collection staff about any selenium exposure at work or in your environment.
- Follow the collection site's instructions for the urine sample.
Fasting, timing, sample type, and what to bring
Fasting
Fasting is usually not required for this test, but requirements can vary. Confirm with your lab.
Best time to collect
A urine sample can typically be collected when you visit the collection site. Your lab may ask for a specific collection window, so confirm the timing when you schedule.
Sample type
Urine sample. The collector will explain the process before starting.
What to bring
- Your printed lab order or requisition form — the ordering physician prepares it for you after you order, and you print it (or fax it from your account) before visiting
- Your order confirmation email, in case the collection site asks to see it
- A government-issued photo ID (most collection sites verify identity at check-in)
- A written list of the medications and supplements you currently take
- A short-sleeved or loose-sleeved shirt for an easy blood draw
- Water to drink before the draw and a light snack for afterward, if your test requires fasting
You do not need an insurance card or a payment method at the collection site: the lab does not bill insurance, and you pay at order time, so there is no copay or deductible. The lab also provides the physician's requisition, so you do not need a separate doctor's referral.
Order process and what-to-bring details reflect the lab's published instructions, paraphrased in our own words. Confirm final requirements with the collection lab that will perform your draw.
What the collection involves
You provide a urine sample at the collection site, usually in a private restroom. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Details worth confirming with the collection lab before your visit:
- Does this test require any fasting or timing instructions?
- What type of urine collection do you need for this test?
- When should I expect my results?
When this test is useful
A clinician may order this test to monitor workplace or environmental exposure to selenium. It may also be ordered when a selenium deficiency is suspected.
What results mean
Reference ranges can vary between laboratories, so your result should be interpreted using the range provided by the lab that performed the test. Your clinician can explain what your result means in the context of your health and exposure history.
General test information is compiled from publicly available reference material, including MedlinePlus (medlineplus.gov) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov), and is reviewed for clarity. Preparation and what-to-bring details reflect the lab's published instructions, paraphrased into our own words. Preparation instructions, timing, and pricing vary by collection lab — always confirm them with the lab that will perform your draw.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast for a selenium urine test?
Fasting is usually not required, but instructions can vary by collection site. Confirm with your lab before your appointment.
Can I take my usual supplements before this test?
Selenium-containing supplements may affect the result. Ask your clinician or the collection site whether you should pause them before collection.
How long does it take to get results?
Results are typically available within a few business days, but turnaround times can vary. Check with your collection site for an estimate.
What does an abnormal result mean?
A result outside the reference range may reflect exposure or low selenium status. Only your clinician can interpret what it means for you.