Editing Selenium (section)

==== Detection in biological fluids ====
Selenium may be measured in blood, plasma, serum, or urine to monitor excessive environmental or occupational exposure, to confirm a diagnosis of poisoning in hospitalized victims, or to investigate a suspected case of fatal overdose. Some analytical techniques can distinguish organic from inorganic forms of the element. Both organic and inorganic forms of selenium are largely converted to monosaccharide conjugates (selenosugars) in the body before elimination in the urine. Cancer patients receiving daily oral doses of selenothionine may achieve very high plasma and urine selenium concentrations.<ref>{{cite book |last=Baselt |first=R. |title=Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man |date=2008 |publisher=Biomedical Publications |isbn=978-0-9626523-5-6 |edition=8th |place=Foster City, California |pages=1416–1420}}</ref>