What is HTMA?
HTMA stands for Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. This at-home, non-invasive functional lab test is an excellent, affordable and highly accessible way to gain insight into a variety of metabolic and endocrine processes of humans and other mammals such as dogs and horses. A small sample of hair is cut near the base of the skull and sent to a lab. This ½-inch length of hair yields a lab result that provides an HTMA-certified clinician an accurate representation of nutritional elements and toxic heavy metal burden.
The lab result also includes significant ratios that point to metabolic type, overall vitality, thyroid health, hormone balance, adrenal health and blood sugar balance. It also includes markers indicating copper dysregulation, iodine deficiency and liver burden, each of which leads to significant symptom patterns. Finally, many known correlations between specific mental health conditions and emotional issues can be indicated by HTMA results, as well.
Because the test only uses the ½ inch of hair closest to the scalp, it reveals patterns in the body over the 3–4-month period leading up to sample collection. Hair is considered a soft body tissue and will accumulate minerals and metals in circulation within the body. Most blood, stool and urine markers are only able to show what was happening in the patient at the time of collection.
It’s important to note that HTMA results cannot be read exactly as they appear due to loss patterns and the interplay between various metals and minerals, as well as oxidation rates. Mineral status of the body must be interpreted as a complex ecosystem with multiple negative and positive feedback loops and each “species” (nutritional element or metal) must be understood in relation to all others. It is a fascinating symphony of meaning and can only be interpreted reliably by someone trained in the intricacies of this specific test. A body ecologist, so to speak.
All this data is available for $68, making it one of the most affordable, accessible and broad-ranging tests on the market today.
The Science Behind HTMA
As a practitioner, I endeavor to create a foundation of trust and reciprocity with clients, as well as to foster self-empowerment for people seeking my services. Ultimately, each client’s healing journey is their responsibility. I am a guide and offer a set of tools and framework I’ve honed over years of study. I’m excited to share these tools and systems to support your process. And so, with this introduction out of the way, let’s move on to the science behind this test. It’s only useful to discuss the value if we first understand the foundation on which it is built.
In 1979, the EPA conducted a large study of all available worldwide literature at the time related to using hair tissue testing as a means of determining its usefulness for long-term biological monitoring of heavy metals in the US public. “The consensus of most workers in the field is that if hair samples are collected properly, cleaned and prepared for analysis correctly and analyzed by the best analytical methods, using standards and blanks as required, in a clean and reliable laboratory, by experienced personnel, the data are reliable” (1). This statement is true of any sample collected from the human body and sent to a lab.
Since 1979, numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown the value and usefulness of mineral analysis via atomic absorption spectroscopy (the type of analysis used on hair samples), specifically in mammalian hair, for determining toxic metal burden and nutritional mineral status (2). A thorough sample of these studies is available on the Myers Detox website (3).
It’s also worth noting the lab I use for HTMA samples, Trace Elements, Inc., meets all requirements for certification under the federal government’s CLIA program. Their licensing and quality control process is outlined on their website (4). In fact, all labs offering HTMA testing in the United States also meet these criteria. Practitioners must set each client up with clear, simple instructions for collecting a usable hair sample. However, this is true for every at-home test kit used by functional medicine practitioners. Of all the test kits I’ve worked with, the Trace Elements HTMA is the easiest to collect.
There are some limitations of this test. First, patients who are slow oxidizers (a designation determined by the Calcium: Phosphorus ratio) often don’t have enough energy to mobilize toxins and metals out of their cells or to let minerals into their cells. Because of this, it can take some time on a mineral balancing protocol for the body to develop enough cellular energy for metals to appear in the soft tissue of the hair. The first test can look almost benign despite a patient presenting with many symptoms. So, as with any test, we always look at both results and symptom patterns to determine protocols and approach. Second, other hidden patterns can exist for this same reason, especially in early testing. Patients should understand that mineral balancing and heavy metal detox can take a long time and will not be linear, which is true of most healing processes in the body. Third, metals can be sequestered in many tissues of the body, not just hair. Hair shows what is in circulation, but it’s also important to look at blood and urine, especially when mercury or other heavy metal poisoning is suspected. Quicksilver Scientific has an excellent Mercury Tri-Test that looks at all 3 tissue samples and this can be a better tool than the HTMA in certain situations. Fourth, this is a complex test and can be confusing for clients and inexperienced practitioners to understand. Working with a practitioner trained in this specific test is important for meaningful outcomes.
A Fascinating Journey
Finally, HTMA testing was originally developed in the mid-1970’s. Soon after, a book was published stating, “The result of research studies indicate that hair mineral analysis can be useful as a diagnostic tool in the examination of trace metal exposure, including abnormal nutritional intake, and may assist in the study of certain mental states. They (hair mineral analysis) may suggest mineral imbalances present in the body that perhaps could be rectified by a mineral supplemented diet. Hair metal testing is a fascinating new diagnostic tool and often gives unexpected clues to mineral imbalances in the body. The authors would support this statement from the results that they have accumulated to date” (5).
I would agree this avenue of testing is fascinating. The number of samples, data and clinical correlations collected between the mid-1970’s and now has amplified the usefulness and value of this test. I’m excited to share what I’m learning with you and look forward to guiding you through this fascinating journey.
- Toxic Trace Metals in Mammalian Hair and Nails. United States Environmental Protection Agency Publication 1979; EPA-600/4: 79: 049
- Sharma, Kabita. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry: Principle, Parts, Uses. Www.scienceinfo.com, 2023. https://scienceinfo.com/atomic-absorption-spectrophotometry/
- https://myersdetox.com/hair-mineral-analysis-research-studies/
- https://traceelements.com/LabServices/QualityAssurance.aspx
- Barlow, P. J.; Kapel, M.: Metal and Sulfur Contents of Hair in Relation to Certain Mental States. Hair, Trace Elements, and Human Illness Brown, A.C.; Crounse, R. G., eds. Praeger Publications, 1980. https://myersdetox.com/hair-mineral-analysis-research-studies/