Symptoms Of A Selenium Deficiency

Muscle Weakness

Patients who have a selenium deficiency may notice weakness in the muscles, and the muscles may become increasingly weak if the deficiency is not corrected quickly. A feeling of weakness in the muscles can cause problems with standing, sitting, and walking, and patients may feel they need to stay in bed for long periods. Depending on the severity of the muscle weakness, some patients may struggle to walk without support, and they may also have problems with bathing, getting dressed, cooking, and writing. 

To help increase muscle strength, patients may wish to try gentle exercises such as swimming and yoga. However, anyone who notices muscle weakness should visit a doctor to receive a proper evaluation and diagnosis. The clinician can check the patient's range of motion and strength in the major muscle groups and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Some patients may also wish to consider a course of physical therapy to improve muscle strength, but this should only be done if recommended by a doctor.