About the Minerals and Heavy Metals Toxicity (Hair Sample) Test
“Presently, humanity is exposed to the highest levels of toxic metals in recorded history, up to several thousand times higher than just a hundred years ago. Everyone has metals in their body; the question is how much do you have? Removing them from the body can vastly improve health, mental functioning, energy and performance”
The mineral and heavy metals hair analysis test provides granular details and analysis of the presence of heavy metals and toxins. This can help reveal underlying health symptoms and diseases that can be related to nutritional deficiencies, mineral imbalances, and exposure to toxic compounds.
A hair analysis for the detection of toxic materials can be used for gathering greater detail on the health of the patient. Hair samples can be tested for a wide range of toxic compounds.
The major areas that the human hair analysis is designed for are as follows –
- Heavy Metals/Toxins: Arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Aluminimum (Al), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Strontium (Sr), Thallium (Tl)
- Minerals: Chromium, Potassium, Phosphorous, Germanium, Magnesium, Iodine, Cobalt, Silicon, Lithium, Manganese, Copper, Molybdenum, Selenium, Sulfur, Sodium, Silver, Vanadium, Calcium, Iron, Zinc
What is the scientific basis for conducting a hair analysis test?
A comprehensive analysis of the hair can reveal underlying conditions as well as the concentration of toxic elements present. When new hair cells are developed within the follicle, they absorb a certain degree of trace elements of substances that are present within the blood stream of the person.
With the hair growing over time, there is a long standing record of the toxins present within the body as the cells come out of the bulb and harden. A single hair strand can provide more information about the concentration of various elements within the body than other methods.
There is a significant amount of information present in the hair of an individual, e.g. hair cortisol levels for children suffering from neurological abnormalities, per Clinical Applications of Hair Analysis, Pascal Kintz et al Hair Analysis in Clinical and Forensic Toxicology, 2015
What is hair analysis?
As hair live for about five to six years before they fall off the scalp, they can provide a comprehensive record of the presence of minerals and toxins. Performing of hair analysis for individuals can uncover new insights on the exposure to specific toxins and the presence of minerals within the body. The identification of drug use can also be tested through hair, blood and urine sampling, as it is a highly accurate record of exposure to substances.
Why should I do the hair analysis test?
Hair analysis can be used for determining a wide range of toxins and minerals present within the body. It is one of the most convenient tests that someone can take to uncover their complete exposure and nutritional deficiencies present due to its ease of sample collection.
With long-term exposure harming the body in multiple ways, it is best to get a toxin test performed through the use of hair analysis. Acquiring the hair samples is convenient, and individuals can be tested around the year to measure key imbalances in the body.
A number of disease conditions are interlinked with nutritional deficiencies, which is why hair analysis has been used for understanding the complete nutritional balance by the way of hair testing.
- A hair analysis test provides a more complete long-term exposure report, with metals that are associated with specific disease conditions. The impact of arsenic, mercury, and lead have been studied extensively in relationship with health conditions, such as mental health issues, certain types of cancer, autoimmune disorders, hormone imbalances, etc.
- Hair analysis in individuals can provide a more long-term study of the presence of the right minerals in the body. As minerals are essential for the effective functioning of various organs and cells, they need to be in the right balance and can be analysed via hair and blood.
- The results of a hair toxin and mineral report can also be used to provide analysis into hair loss, hair fall, and other hair related issues.
- The balance of the minerals present within the body, such as Zinc and Copper can also be analysed to ensure that their ratios are within the ideal range.
- The test is widely considered a gold standard, as the hair can hold a long-term record of toxins, mineral imbalances, of drugs introduced via GC MS analysis, etc.
What are the pre-requisites of the hair analysis test?
There are a few strategies to follow when using the hair toxins and mineral test.
- All instructions mentioned within the kit should be followed to ensure high quality sample collection.
- You should not shampoo or wash hair right before collecting the sample, as a natural sample is required for the test. Additives present within the shampoo or soap may get included in the report.
- There is no fasting period or preparation required for sample collection.
- The test can be done by any anyone at any age group.
What is the process of the HTMA hair analysis test?
The following guide will help you understand the process of hair analysis tests and their results period.
1. The hair analysis test kit will be sent directly to the delivery address of the person.
2. The instructions for sample collection will be mentioned within the kit documents. It is important to comply with them closely when you collect the hair sample.
3. The test analysis address will be mentioned within the kit, with a complete guide on how to send the sample.
4. In Tier 1 cities, a phlebotomist will pick up your sample from your home. Give us a call if you have any questions.
How do I collect a sample of hair in a home hair analysis test?
- Once you book the test, the test kit will be sent to your address
- You need to fill the information sheet within the kit and its required details.
- You can select an area within the middle of the scalp and cut around 40-50 strands from the base of the scalp. In this way, you get the best sample for testing. Plucking is not advisable when collecting the sample.
- Put the HTMA sample and form within the pouch and ship it to the office address mentioned within the document kit.
How to collect the sample
- Once you book the test, the test kit will be sent to your address
- Fill the Information Sheet in the Kit
- Select an area from the center of the scalp and cut an adequate amount of hair (40-50 strands) from the base of your scalp. Do not pluck the hair from the root
- Put the sample & form in the pouch and ship the kit to our office