Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) Testing For Gut and Hormone Health

Tempted to do a GI-MAP stool test or a DUTCH urine test with a nutritionist, but not ready to invest financially? Welcome Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA). This test is not only more affordable, you can’t fully support your hormone and gut health without good mineral levels. We need minerals as they are co-factors in many processes. Just like a spark plug for a car.

Today, I want to write about some of the important ratios I see in HTMA testing with clients. This will help you understand your results. If you’d like to know your minerals and heavy metals, please head to services and fill out an application. I will send you my private booking link by email.

It’s important to test for minerals in hair as we store them in our tissues (teeth, hair, bones) and not our blood.

Significant ratios on an Htma

Calcium/Phosphorus: The nervous system ratio. Determines your metabolic type (fast or slow burner) as well as protein use

Sodium/Potassium: Vitality ratio. Considers adrenal health, kidneys, stress, immunity, digestion

Calcium/Potassium: The thyroid ratio. High calcium binds to iodine receptors. Low ratio often leads to a sped up nervous system and stress on the thyroid. Potassium helps thyroid hormones get into the cell. Hello coconut water!

Zinc/Copper: The hormone ratio as zinc helps progesterone and copper helps estrogen levels. Low progesterone? Don’t forget to eat Vitamin C rich foods.

Sodium/Magnesium: Adrenal radio (HPA axis). If you have a low ratio it means there has been chronic long term stress and minerals are likely low. If this ratio is high, the adrenals are fast, in active acute stress state and there’s likely a demand for more magnesium. Don’t forget, magnesium is depleted with stress. Excess magnesium supplementation can lower other minerals too - so check in with your healthcare practitioner. I love topical sprays and epsom salt baths for the majority of people.

Calcium/Magnesium: The blood sugar ratio. This tells me about your blood sugar levels and if you get

hungry/angry between meals. If this ratio is high, blood sugars are likely low and you’ll need that snack between meals.

Iron/Cooper: No surprise here, this looks at your iron and a balance between these two minerals is important for optimal levels.

Why Test:

(direct from Trace Elements Lab)

• Zinc is involved in the production, storage and secretion of insulin and is necessary for growth hormones.

• Magnesium is required for normal muscular function, especially the heart. A deficiency has been associated with an increased incidence of abnormal heart conditions, anxiety and nervousness.

• Potassium is critical for normal nutrient transport into the cell. A deficiency can result in muscular weakness, mild depression and lethargy.

• Excess sodium is associated with hypertension, but adequate amounts are required for normal health.

From a gut health perspective, we need sodium to make stomach acid.

For hormone health, we will have worse PMS if calcium and magnesium are low.

Support your minerals, friends.

Requirements for testing: un-dyed hair near the root of the scalp for collection. I ship you the testing kit and upon collection you pop it into the mail to the lab in the US. Some states don’t allow health testing so feel free to confirm.

If you’re curious about your minerals and heavy metals over the last 3 months? Reach out to learn more! Jordan Bruce, holistic nutritionist.