A hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) simply stated, is a screening test that measures the mineral content of your hair. However, a hair tissue mineral analysis is much more than a test for minerals. Providing a blueprint of one’s biochemistry, a hair tissue mineral analysis can provide information about your metabolic rate, energy levels, carbohydrate tolerance, stage of stress, immune system and glandular activity. This screening test can also be used to reduce the guesswork involved when recommending nutritional supplements and dietary modifications
Hair, like all other body tissues, contains minerals that are deposited as the hair grows. Although the hair is dead, the minerals remain as the hair continues to grow out. A sample of hair cut close to the scalp provides information about the mineral activity in the hair that took place over the past three to four months, depending on the rate of hair growth.
Where can i get one done?
United Kingdom:
- Fleur Brown Nutrition (Analytical Research Labs)
- Smart Nutrition (Analytical Research Labs)
- Mineral Check (Trace Elements)
- Hair Diagnostics (Analytical Research Labs)
Germany:
- Verisana (Trace Elements)
Austria:
- Contact Trace Elements for stockist in Austria
Scandinavia:
- Contact Trace Elements for stockist in Scandinavia
Spain:
- Contact Trace Elements for stockist in Spain
Rest of Europe:
- Mineral Check (Trace Elements)
Australia:
- Interclinical (Trace Elements)
- Lifestyle Integration (Analytical Research Labs)
- Lotus Holistic Medicine (Analytical Research Labs)
Canada:
- Little Mountain Homeopathy (Analytical Research Labs)
United States:
- Even Better Health (Trace Elements)
You can contact ARL here ARL Mineral Information if you need a location other than the ones mentioned above.
Interpretation of your test
The Basic Mineral Ratios
Calcium/Magnesium (Ca/Mg) Ratio:
Referred to as the blood-sugar ratio
Normal ratio is 6.67:1
Calcium is required for the release of insulin from the pancreas
Magnesium inhibits insulin secretion
Magnesium is necessary to keep calcium in solution
Trends Associated with the Calcium/Magnesium Ratio:
12+
Severe glucose (sugar) sensitivity
8.5 – 12
Imbalanced glucose metabolism
6.67 – 8.49
Within optimal limits
6.67
IDEAL
4.51 – 6.67
Within optimal limits
3.3 – 4.50
Imbalanced glucose metabolism
Below – 3.3
Severe glucose (sugar) sensitivity
Factors which may Modify the Interpretation of the Ratio:
Calcium or magnesium loss will raise the levels temporarily
Cortisone therapy will lower calcium levels
Cortisone therapy will raise both sodium and potassium levels
Lead and cadmium toxicity will displace calcium
Sodium/Potassium (Na/K) Ratio:
Referred to as the life-death ratio because it is so critical
Related to the sodium pump mechanism, and the electrical potential of cells which is regulated by sodium and potassium levels
Sodium is normally extracellular, while potassium is normally intracellular. If the ratio of these minerals is unbalanced, it indicates important physiological malfunctions within the cells.
The sodium/potassium ratio is intimately related to kidney, liver and adrenal gland function, and an imbalanced sodium/potassium ratio is associated with heart, kidney, liver, and immune deficiency diseases.
The sodium/potassium ratio is intimately linked to adrenal gland function, and the balance between aldosterone (mineralocorticoid) and cortisone (glucocorticoid) secretion.
Trends Associated with Sodium/Potassium Ratio:
6.+
Severe elevation – inflammation and adrenal imbalance. High ratio can also be associated with asthma, allergies, kidney and liver problems. A high sodium/potassium ratio is considered preferable to a low sodium/potassium ratio.
4.5 – 6
Moderate elevation – tendency towards inflammation
2.5 – 4.49
Mild elevation – good adrenal function
2.5
IDEAL
2 – 2.49
Mild inversion – beginning of adrenal exhaustion
1 – 2
Moderate inversion – kidney and liver dysfunction, allergies, arthritis, adrenal exhaustion, digestive problems, deficiency of hydrochloric acid.
Below 1
Severe inversion – tendency towards heart attack, cancer, arthritis, kidney and liver disorders.
Factors which may Modify the Interpretation of the Ratio:
Mercury or cadmium toxicity, or an elimination of these metals can affect the sodium/potassium ratio.
Sometimes a sodium/potassium ratio will be worse on a retest, but the patient feels better. This is because some other mineral or mineral ratio on the chart has improved, such as the elimination of cadmium or copper, or normalization of another ratio. The elimination of a heavy toxic metal is the most common cause of a sodium/potassium inversion, on a retest chart.
Occasionally a sodium or potassium loss can occur.
Calcium/Potassium (Ca/K) Ratio:
Called the thyroid ratio because calcium and potassium play a vital role in regulating thyroid activity.
Does not always correlate with blood thyroid tests because hair analysis is a tissue test. Often blood tests will be normal but hair analysis will indicate an impaired thyroid function. Sometimes symptoms of hypothyroidism may be evident, but the hair test will show a hyperactive thyroid ratio. For nutritional correction, it is prudent to follow the hair analysis indication.
Ideal Calcium/Potassium Ratio is 4:1:
A calcium/potassium ratio of less than 4:1 is indicative of increased thyroid activity.
The thyroid gland is one of the major glands which regulate metabolic rate in the body. A hyperactive thyroid is associated with fast metabolism.
When the thyroid (and adrenal) ratios are not normal, the efficiency of energy production in the body decreases. It is like an engine that is turning too slow or too fast – power output declines.
Symptoms of Reduced Thyroid Activity Include:
Tendency to gain weight
Cold hands and feet – tendency to feel cold
Lack of sweating
Fatigue
Dry skin and dry hair
Tendency towards constipation
Symptoms of Overactive Thyroid Activity Include:
Excessive sweating
Hyperactivity, irritability
Nervousness
Oily hair and skin
Occasional tendency towards frequent bowel movements or diarrhea during times of stress
Trends Associated with the Calcium/Potassium Ratio:
32+
Severe low thyroid activity 75%+ energy loss
16 – 32
Sluggish thyroid 50-75% energy loss
8 – 16
Moderate sluggish thyroid 25-50% energy loss
4 – 8
Mild sluggish thyroid activity 10-25% energy loss
4
IDEAL – 100% energy
2 – 4
Mild fast thyroid activity 10-25% energy loss
1 – 2
Moderate fast thyroid activity 25-50% energy loss
Below 1
Excessive thyroid activity 50% or more energy loss
Sodium/Magnesium (Na/Mg) Ratio:
Referred to as the adrenal ratio because sodium levels are directly associated with adrenal gland function. Aldosterone, a mineral corticoid adrenal hormone, regulates retention of sodium in the body. In general, the higher the sodium level, the higher the aldosterone level.
The sodium/magnesium ratio is also a measure of energy output, because the adrenal glands are a major regulator (along with the thyroid gland) of the rate of metabolism.
Ideal Sodium/Magnesium Ratio is 4.17:1:
The sodium/magnesium ratio is a tissue reading and will often not match blood tests for adrenal hormones. Usually the blood tests will be normal, but the tissue mineral test will show abnormal adrenal function.
Symptoms, however, usually correlate well with the hair analysis.
Symptoms of Underactive Adrenal Glands Include:
Fatigue, or diminished stamina
Depression
Hypoglycemia
Weight fluctuations
Poor digestion – diminished ability to tolerate fats and meat protein
Allergies
Symptoms of Overactive Adrenal Glands Include:
Tendency to inflammation and inflammatory reactions
Increased stamina and drive
Aggressiveness, impulsiveness
Hypertension
Diabetes
Type A personality
Trends Associated with the Sodium/Magnesium Ratio:
16+
Extremely overactive adrenals 50% or more energy loss
8 – 16
Moderate excessive adrenals 25-50% energy loss
4.17 – 8
Mild excessive adrenal activity 10-25% energy loss
4.17
IDEAL 100% energy
2 – 4.17
Mild sluggish adrenal activity 10-25% energy loss
1 – 2
Moderate sluggish adrenals 25-50% energy loss
Below 1
Adrenal Insufficiency 50% or more energy loss
Factors which may Modify the Interpretation of the Ratio:
Sodium levels can be elevated by cadmium, mercury, copper, iron and nickel. An excess of these minerals will raise the sodium level temporarily, although adrenal function may actually be low. Look at every chart for the presence of these metals when evaluating the adrenal ratio.
Magnesium and sodium are rarely lost through the hair, causing a “false” reading.
Zinc/Copper (Zn/Cu) Ratio:
Using the zinc/copper ratio is a much more effective method of evaluating zinc and copper readings than considering either copper or zinc levels alone.
Symptoms of High Copper (Excess) and/or Low Zinc (Deficiency) Include:
Skin problems (acne, psoriasis, slow healing, eczema), emotional instability, “spaciness”, detached behavior, schizophrenia, PMS, reproductive problems, prostatitis, menstrual difficulties depression and fatigue.
Trends Associated with the Zinc/Copper Ratio:
16+
severe copper deficiency or bio-unavailability of copper
8+ – 16
copper deficiency or unavailability
8
IDEAL
4.51-7.99
possible copper toxicity
2 – 4.50
copper toxicity
Below 2
severe copper toxicity – excessive breakdown, emotional instability, zinc deficiency problems such as impotence, slow healing, loss of taste, smell, appetite, and hair loss.
Oxidation Types
Definition of Fast Oxidation:
Calcium/Potassium Ratio Less Than 4:1
and
Sodium/Magnesium Ratio Greater Than 4.17:1
Definition of Slow Oxidation:
Calcium/Potassium Ratio Greater Than 4:1
and
Sodium/Magnesium Ratio Less Than 4.17:1
Definition of Mixed Oxidation:
Calcium/Potassium Ratio Greater Than 4:1
and
Sodium/Magnesium Ratio Greater Than 4.17:1
or
Calcium/Potassium Ratio Less Than 4:1
and
Sodium/Magnesium Ratio Less Than 4.17:1
Mineral interactions
Helpful links
Mineral functions and information
ARL Mineral Information
ARL cases and articles
ARL : Articles