Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
What is Hair Mineral Analysis?
A hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is a soft tissue biopsy that provides an in-depth look at your individual biochemistry at a cellular level. Blood analysis provides a ‘snapshot’ of what is presently circulating that very moment, whereas the hair reveals the biochemistry of the previous 3 months- inside the cell, not just the blood serum. Deficiencies are revealed much sooner than in the blood or the urine- offering an early warning system.
This method of testing has been used for at least 100 years worldwide to screen for the level of 20 crucial minerals like magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, zinc and copper. It also tests for toxic metals like mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and aluminum- all of which can create massive health issues.
It is a non-invasive, and relatively inexpensive method of testing and is very accurate. While not a ‘diagnostic’ test, HTMA is an excellent method for assessing, monitoring and guiding the correction and improvement of one’s body chemistry before deeper imbalances set in.
HTMA can determine:
- The stage of stress and the effects on the body
- Metabolic rate and energy levels
- If your diet is working properly for you
- If you are dealing with candida and gut absorption issues
- Sugar and carbohydrate intolerance
- How well your thyroid and adrenals are performing
- Immune system activity
- If you are dealing with heavy metals- toxic metals concentrate in the soft tissues not in the blood or the urine. Hair analysis is acknowledged to be one of the few ways to detect toxic metals.
- Gives a view of the body over the course of 3 months and allows us to determine how well the body is utilising nutrients; whether burning through due to stress or lacking the ability to make them bioavailable.
- Monitoring progress- repeat tissue mineral tests and comparison with previous tests can often provide answers as to whether improvement is occurring, why some symptoms persist, and what to expect in the future.
This screening test is used to reduce the guesswork involved when recommending nutritional supplements and dietary modifications. Testing is recommended every 3-6 months and with the guidance of myself, it will help set you on a path to recovery. For further information, including background on on HTMA, please have a look at www.traceelements.com and www.arltma.com
I completed my training in mineral balancing science and HTMA interpretation with Kristen Merizalde at the Mineral Mavens academy in the U.S, and am now one of her recommended UK practitioners.
I also have a Facebook group for support on all things nutrition and mineral balancing- you can join here.
What’s included in the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis package?
HTMA test package for new clients: £179
Includes the test, your customised written analysis with additional nutritional, lifestyle and supplemental recommendations for mineral balancing, a 60-75 minute online/phone consultation to discuss your health concerns and to go over the analysis. Plus email support for 2 months following the initial report.
Retest/child’s test (within 6 months of your original test): £159
Includes your personal written analysis, 60 minutes Skype consultation and updated plan. Plus email support for 2 months following test results.
Analysis of an existing test: £139
(Less than 3 months old) includes consultation plus written recommendations.
NEW- HTMA test & email consult: with practitioner’s notes and recommendations: £139
Please note this test is with personal analysis plus bullet points of recommendations, minus the online consultation.
Family discounts available for siblings or parent and child. Please ask!
Upon receipt of payment, you will receive the test kit + instructions within 2 working days. You then simply send off your hair sample with signed form in the pre-paid envelope to Mineral Check. The results + analysis are emailed to you in about 12 working days. Taking the hair sample is fairly easy, it simply involves cutting a small amount of hair from the region at the back of the head between the occipital bone and the nape*. The lab requires 100mg, which is approximately a heaped teaspoon of hair. If your hair is less than 3cm long (1.5 inches) keep all of it for testing. If it’s longer, keep the 3cm of hair that was closest to the scalp and cut off and discard the rest.
*If you colour your hair: 4-6 weeks of new growth is preferred. The sample that is needed has to be cut as close to the scalp as possible. If your hair dye has bleach or peroxide, you will have to either wait for new growth or ask your colourist to leave a hidden section un-bleached.
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