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 enables organs and tissues to shunt certain nutrients and toxins out of the blood, which does not provide 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.
- During acute exposure, heavy metals will show in the blood before the body stores them in tissue.
- Before blood levels drop, one can identify deficiencies, enabling earlier intervention.
WHY IS HTMA USEFUL IN CLINICAL PRACTICE?
- Gives valuable information to guide dietary and supplement recommendations relative to the individual. Mineral imbalance can affect a variety of conditions, and testing provides accurate information.
- Extended periods of supplementation can throw out the balance of other minerals, making it an important clinical tool to ensure the maintenance of the delicate mineral balance.
- Taking out the guesswork, a variety of deficiencies can cause some symptoms.
- It offers early insight into how the body is functioning to allow earlier intervention.
