WHAT IS HTMA?
Hair tissue mineral analysis is a hair test that measures levels of minerals and heavy metals in the body:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Zinc
- Copper
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Manganese
- Chromium
- Selenium
- Molybdenum
- Sulphur
- Aluminum
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Mercury,
- Arsenic
- Uranium
- Nickel
- Tin
In addition to nutrient and heavy metal levels, it provides information on the ratios of your levels in relation to each other. Minerals and metals can work against each other to block the absorption or utilization of other nutrients. This can lead to relative deficiencies or excesses, leading to symptoms.
WHAT DOES IT IDENTIFY?
HTMA is beneficial as a screening tool and can provide information on your bodies:
- Adrenal function
- Stress response
- Thyroid function
- Blood glucose regulation
- Heavy metal toxicity
- Digestive function
- Nutrient deficiencies or excess
HOW IT DIFFERS FROM BLOOD TESTING?
BLOOD CAPTURES A MOMENT IN TIME WHILE HAIR SHOWS THREE MONTHS’ WORTH OF INFORMATION. WHEN TESTING MINERALS AND HEAVY METALS, HAIR CAN BE MORE ACCURATE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
- Homeostatic regulation means certain nutrients and toxins can be shunted out of the blood to organs and tissue, not giving an accurate picture of the whole-body status
- Blood is a transport medium and doesn’t show what is getting into the cell (high blood levels can be a deficiency within the cell)
- Blood often identifies recent intake of nutrients, not overall body status
- Hair is more reflective of longer-term nutrient status
- Heavy metals will only show in the blood during acute exposure before it is stored in tissue
- Deficiencies can be identified before blood levels drop allowing for earlier intervention
WHY IS HTMA USEFUL IN CLINICAL PRACTICE?
- Gives valuable information to guide dietary and supplement recommendations relative to the individual.
- There can be a variety of conditions affected by mineral imbalance and testing gives accurate information
- Supplementation for extended periods can throw out the balance of other minerals, therefore is an important clinical tool to ensure the delicate balance of minerals is maintained.
- It takes out the guess work – some symptoms can be caused by a variety of deficiencies
- It offers early insight into how the body is functioning to allow earlier intervention