Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)
Nutrient and toxic element testing.
HTMA is a safe and non-invasive pathology test. It measures the levels and comparative ratios of nutrient and toxic minerals found in hair.
HTMA is regarded by many doctors, naturopaths and nutritional therapists as one of the most valuable screening tools available in everyday and preventative health care.
Why test for minerals?
Minerals are essential for growth, healing, vitality and wellbeing. They provide structural support in bones and teeth, and they maintain the body’s pH and water balance, nerve activity, muscle contractions, energy production and enzyme reactions. They are the basic ‘spark plugs’ of life.
Ideally we should get all the minerals we need from a balanced diet. Unfortunately today this is rarely possible. Modern farming techniques, fertilisers and depleted soils reduce the mineral content of foods. Environmental pollutants, chemical food additives and stressful lifestyles also have a detrimental effect on our nutritional status.
Many health conditions are aggravated by mineral imbalances and toxic metal excesses, including cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, migraines, learning difficulties and hyperactivity in children, to name just a few.
Consequently, we need to test and monitor our nutritional status more than ever.
Why use the hair?
Hair is a body tissue made up of mostly dead cells fused together. The shaft of the hair is the portion that projects from the skin surface and the root of the hair, below the skin surface contains living matrix of cells from which the hair grows. These matrix cells depend on the blood supply for nourishment and growth. As they grow and divide, minerals are keratinised into the growing hair shaft, creating a permanent record of metabolic activity and exposure to toxic elements. Mineral concentrations in hair can provide a reliable indicator of mineral stores in the whole body, ie what the levels of minerals are in other body tissues.
| Minerals Tested | ||
| Nutritional minerals Boron Calcium Chromium Cobalt Copper Iron Magnesium Manganese Molybdenum Phosphorus Potassium Selenium Sodium Sulfur Zinc | Toxic minerals Aluminium Antimony * Arsenic Beryllium Cadmium Lead Mercury Uranium * On request. Extra fee applies. | Additional minerals Barium Bismuth Germanium Lithium Nickel Platinum Rubidium Strontium Thallium Tin Titanium Tungsten Vanadium Zirconium |
Sample Report
FAQ
1. What is hair mineral analysis?
Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is an analytical test that evaluates hair tissue for nutritional and toxic elements as a reflection of the bodies’ mineral stores and levels. It is a safe and non-invasive test that provides indicative mineral balances and comparative ratios of nutrients and toxic minerals in the body.
2. Do you test the hair for chemicals or drugs?
The hair is tested for over 37 different minerals (i.e. nutritional and toxic minerals), but not for chemicals or drugs.
3. Do you test the hair for allergies?
The hair is tested to show the internal storage of nutritional and toxic minerals; not for allergies. However, due to the effects of some mineral balances, your report may indicate certain mineral patterns that are known to influence particular allergy types.
4. How is the hair sample taken?
The hair shoud be clean, well rinsed, untreated and uncoloured. Hair is taken from the back of the head using clean stainless steel scissors, approximately 4cm. The laboratory requires approximately one tablespoon of hair for testing (0.5gm).
5. Can I send my hair if it is dyed?
If hair is treated and coloured, wait six to eight weeks and take the sample from the freshly grown (i.e. untreated) hair. Any hair treatment or colour, natural or otherwise, can potentially lead to less accurate results for some elements tested.
6. How much does it cost?
There are 2 profiles to choose from:
All profiles analyse for over 37 nutritional and toxic elements and provide a graph showing these levels as well as over 26 important toxic and nutritional ratios.
- Profile 1 – Initial Interpretative report – this is a comprehensive report which contains the graphical data plus a detailed discussion about your results as well as dietary recommendations. Cost is $270 including GST. This includes initial consultation of 20min to take hair sample and discuss health concerns as well as a 30min follow up to discuss your report and diet and supplement requirements.
- Profile 2 – Comparative report – this report compares current and previous test results and is most beneficial if you have had a test in the last 12-18 months and require a follow up analysis. Cost is $220 including GST
