Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis — What is it and how would I benefit from it?
Have you ever heard of a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) or maybe its a new concept for you?
A HTMA is a non-invasive, small hair sample that shows the body’s level of nutritional and toxic elements from the last 1-3 months. Compared to a blood test, that is a snapshot of the body on the day you have it done.
These minerals accumulate in the hair as they leave the body, making it a great reflection of the body’s elemental status. Toxic elements are opportunistic and misplace the nutritional elements when they have the chance, like when a diet is lacking essential nutrients, or there are absorption issues (gut health!).
What does it test for?
The HTMA tests for nutritional elements (good guys), toxic elements (bad guys), and additional elements. It then calculates the ratio between them and provides insight into what this means for the body.
Nutritional Elements: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Copper, Zinc, Phosphorus, Iron, Manganese, Chromium, Selenium, Boron, Cobalt, Molybdenum, Sulfur (or sulphur?!).
Toxic Elements: Antimony, Uranium, Arsenic, Beryllium, Mercury, Cadmium, Lead and Aluminium.
Some additional elements which are also important include: Rubidium, Lithium, Tin and Titanium.
What conditions is it good for?
A HTMA doesn’t need to be used for conditions, it can be used as a general health check. But I do love using it for the following conditions when they present in clinic:
Children:
Behavioural issues
Learning difficulties
Poor focus
ADHD
ASD
Fussy Eating
Allergies
Frequent illness
Sleep issues
Enlarged tonsils + adenoids
Environmental exposures
Women:
Preconception
Fertility
Headaches
PMS
Sleep issues
Digestive issues
Stress
Environmental exposures
Can it be used for diagnosis?
Although not used for a definitive diagnosis, we can see if there is any underlying factors responsible for the symptoms.
For example, we know that calcium and magnesium are our calming and sedative nutrients, when one or both of these are low we are going to have sleep or behavioural issues.
We also know that copper and zinc can not only determine the health of the immune system, but can also have an effect on behavioural issues, depression and anxiety.
Other important ratios include chromium and manganese for blood sugar regulation, and molybdenum and sulphur for liver function.
If most of the nutritional elements are low, it tells us that there is an absorption issue and we need to work on gut health. It is here when nutritional elements are lacking, that toxic elements move in.
Issues I see in clinic in relation to toxic metal exposure are:
Lead: behavioural issues, ADHD, hyperactivity, inattention, learning difficulties.
Cadmium: neurodevelopmental issues.
Mercury: insomnia, depression, mood swings.
Aluminium: memory loss, autism, hyperactivity, fatigue, dementia (adults).
Where are toxic elements found and how do we remove them from the body?
Toxic elements are naturally found in the environment (including in water and soil) and every human is exposed to them every day. However, we are able to limit our exposure through simple lifestyle changes such as filtering our water, changing our home and body products to natural alternatives, choosing organic when we can (dirty dozen and clean 15), swapping cookware for better alternatives (cast iron!!), leaving our shoes at the front door and so many more!
You can find the following toxic elements in:
Mercury: Seafood (big fish and shellfish), seaweed, dental amalgams, industrial processes.
Lead: lead-based paint, contaminated dust and soil, lead pipes.
Arsenic: contaminated water or soil, air pollution, tobacco smoke.
Cadmium: tobacco smoke, contaminated food, occupational exposure.
The way we eliminate these elements from ours or our children’s body is by gently (practitioner guided is a must!) supporting the liver, moving the toxic elements and allowing for nutritional elements to take their place. Its a slow process that can take 3-6 months as we don’t want to cause any harm when shifting things around.
What can we find out in a HTMA?
A HTMA can tell us so much! Different nutritional elements and nutritional ratios tell us how your body is functioning on a deeper level.
A few of my favourite things are:
Calcium : Magnesium - are your calming and sedative nutrients, when out of balance we are going to see sleep issues. They also play a roll in blood sugar regulation.
Sodium : Potassium - is our stress or vitality ratio, it also effects digestive system function. When potassium is high we often see emotional issues (kids!), depression and withdrawal.
Copper : Zinc - are responsible for a our immune system health, as well as hormone production, and mental function. High copper is linked to anxiety, depression, ADHD, and learning disorders.
Manganese : Chromium - are our blood sugar regulators. Manganese metabolises carbohydrates and chromium assists with glucose usage. This is where we can see behavioural issues, sugar or carb cravings and that beige diet kids love!
Molybdenum : Sulfur - determine how our liver is functioning, whether it can process what is coming in vs what is going out.
Selenium - is important for protecting the liver and body from heavy metal exposure.
Cobalt - is an inflammatory marker (parasites!) but also indicative of B12 status.
How can I order a HTMA?
HTMA are a practitioner only analysis, meaning you need a registered practitioner to order a test on your behalf.
An initial consult is required before the HTMA kit can be sent to you, and a follow-up appointment to discuss the findings and present the treatment plan.
In the initial appointment, we will discuss your presenting symptoms and health history. The test kit will then be sent out to you. In your follow-up appointment I will present your results and treatment plan as well as any prescription that may be necessary.
If you’re ready to get started, book an appointment with me <3
