Discover how Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis can reveal vital information about your body's mineral levels, heavy metal toxicity, and metabolic imbalances.
By analyzing the mineral content in your hair, Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis can reveal potential deficiencies, excesses, and imbalances in your body's mineral levels. In this guide, we'll explore what HTMA is, how it works, and why it's a valuable tool for understanding your health. Whether you're looking to optimize your nutrition, address chronic health issues, or simply gain a deeper understanding of your body, this guide will provide you with the information you need to get started!
In this guide:
What is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis?
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a functional lab test that analyzes a small hair sample to determine your mineral levels, heavy metal toxicity, and metabolic imbalances. This hair sample provides a three-to-four month record of insight into your digestion, blood sugar, energy levels, and the impact of stress on your body, making it an effective tool for assessing chronic mineral imbalances, toxin exposure, nutrient deficiencies, and more. HTMA is used in functional healthcare as a non-invasive, cost-effective, and reliable screening tool to identify underlying health issues and to create targeted protocols.
Collecting Hair Samples
Several small samples of clean, dry hair are collected from different areas on the back of the head as close to the scalp as possible. It may seem like a lot, but the total amount of hair needed is only about one tablespoon.
Elements Analyzed
HTMA includes detailed results for 15 nutritional elements, eight (8) toxic elements, and seven (7) significant mineral ratios. The results of this analysis can help identify potential nutritional deficiencies or heavy metal exposure that could be contributing to various health issues.
The Benefits of HTMA
HTMA addresses your individual needs. It provides detailed information on your metabolic rate, nutrient levels, thyroid and adrenal activity, immune system health, and more.
Unlike other forms of testing, HTMA reflects long-term dietary patterns and environmental stressors, making it a powerful tool for detecting subtle health issues. With this data, we gain insight into how your body functions at a cellular level, and can identify and address imbalances before they become a problem.
HTMA is non-invasive, affordable, and can be performed remotely, making it a convenient option for people of all ages.
HTMA Results and What They Reveal
It is important to note Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis is not a diagnostic test, and won't diagnose or treat any disease or condition. That said, it is a safe, scientific, and reliable screening tool. When interpreted properly, HTMA can reveal your:
Adrenal Stage
Blood Sugar Handling
Digestive Function
Energy Production
Heavy Metal Toxicities
Liver Function
Metabolic Rate
Nervous System State
Oxidation Rate
Thyroid Balance
When combined with other functional assessments, we can create a bio-individual protocol with targeted nutrition, lifestyle, and (if needed) supplemental interventions to restore balance and optimize your health!
Who Should Consider HTMA?
HTMA is for everyone! Symptoms or not, HTMA is for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of their health, or is looking to take a proactive approach in maintaining optimal health and wellness.
HTMA is particularly beneficial if you're experiencing unexplained symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive or sleep issues, or have a history of heavy metal exposure.
How to Get Started
If you're ready to get started with Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, you will need to find a practitioner who offers this service. Here are some steps you can follow:
Research practitioners. Look for practitioners who offer HTMA and have experience interpreting the results. You can search online, ask for referrals from your healthcare provider, or connect with our Functional Nutritionist, Kristen Alvis.
Schedule a consultation. Once you have identified a practitioner, book their service, or schedule a consultation to discuss your health concerns and determine if HTMA is appropriate for you.
Collect a hair sample. Your practitioner will send you a kit with instructions for collecting your sample and submittal to the lab. The lab will analyze the hair sample and provide a report of your mineral levels. (You can view a sample report here.)
Results. Your practitioner will analyze your HTMA results, develop a plan of action, and review those results with you.
Follow the plan. Follow your practitioner's recommendations for dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and/or supplements to address any mineral imbalances or heavy metal toxicity identified by your results.
With the help of HTMA, you can take control of your health! If you're interested in learning more about working together, please contact us. We look forward to connecting with you soon!