Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)

HTMA is an analytical test that assays the mineral composition of the hair. This test may provide indications of mineral imbalances, deficiencies, and excesses of many essential and toxic elements. It can greatly assist the clinician in assessing a patient’s health and nutritional status.It can provide a more holistic and comprehensive picture upon which to base the most effective therapy.

The hair is the second most metabolically active tissue and may provide a record of the metabolic activity occurring within the body during its period of growth (in the last 6-8 weeks). The hair test can indicate a possible deficiency, excess, or bio-unavailability of the particular mineral within the body. There is a close correlation between trace element levels in the hair and levels in the internal organs.

The serum contains minerals, but they may not be representative of the body’s mineral storage. Serum concentrations may fluctuate with emotional changes, the time of the day the blood is drawn, or foods eaten prior to taking a sample – blood analysis for minerals detects only minerals to and from the storage areas of the body.

The excess accumulation of minerals in the body is often undetected by sampling the serum due to their removal from the blood for deposition into the tissues such as the liver, bones, teeth, and hair. The hair analysis is more cost-effective than mineral testing through other means, provides a record of past as well as present trace element levels, and is invaluable in the assessment of toxic metal levels.