Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Test (HTMA)
What is HTMA testing? Who should consider this test? Who can do this test? It’s all answered below.
Why I use HTMA testing with clients
HTMA testing looks at the mineral and heavy metal levels through hair. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that using human hair testing may be better than blood or urine samples for evaluating trace minerals. Why? Because many minerals like magnesium and potassium are 99% inside the cell. Blood tests don’t show what’s inside the cell. You can catch deficiencies way earlier in HTMA testing compared to blood when it’s already out of range.
Minerals interact with each other and with vitamins. HTMA testing looks your nervous system and can tell us if you’re using up a lot of magnesium for example. It also looks at adrenal and thyroid function over the last 90 days.
The cells in our body require minerals to make energy, stomach acid and hormones.
Is HTMA testing a good fit for you?
What’s really neat about HTMA testing is that’s it’s affordable, non invasive and good for all stages of life. It’s mainly a food based protocol so kids, pregnant and postpartum women can all safely test. The only caveat, is you. need 1-1.5 inches of un-dyed hair, usually taken from the nape of the neck. Medicated shampoos , such as Head and Shoulders, should be avoided prior as that impacts testing results.
One reason we focus on foods is some supplements, take zinc for example, will lower your copper. If we stick to food, many zinc rich foods also contain copper so they balance each other out. If someone is very low in a mineral, we may focus on food and short term supplementation.
Signs you may be low in minerals?
muscle twitching
low energy
PMS
fatigue
you’re stressed or overwhelmed
poor digestion
dysbiosis, often getting candida or parasites
low stomach acid
heartburn
always having to go pee
low or high blood pressure
heart palpations
constipation
migraines or headaches
miscarriage or difficulty getting pregnant
personal note, I wish I did this before my thyroid autoimmune diagnosis. I did it after and my selenium was through the roof, meaning I was burning through this thyroid supportive mineral. Even if you’re feeling ok now, I highly recommend this test.
The stages of stress
Your HTMA results, inform me what stage of stress your body is under.
Stress researcher, Dr. Hans Selye identified three stress response stages.
Alarm Stage: This is the first stage and is known as the "fight or flight" response in the body. During this stage, the adrenal glands activate, release cortisol and adrenaline, and raise tissue sodium levels by releasing a hormone called aldosterone. Higher sodium than potassium on an HTMA is an indicator that you are in this stage.
Resistance Stage: This is the second stage of stress and is reflected in an HTMA with potassium that is also high and matching the high sodium/alarm response. This allows the fight or flight of the alarm stage to calm and return to normal. Adrenal gland activity decreases and starts to normalize, which allows healing to take place.
Exhaustive Stage: This is the third stage of stress and occurs when the stressor(s) is over a long period. The adrenals become more depleted from the chronic stress and sodium starts to get depleted as well. This will show up as a low ratio of sodium to potassium on an HTMA. It is when potassium is higher than sodium.
What mineral ratios are tested and what do they mean?
I have a blog post on this so to learn more, click here
If you’re dealing with many of the symptoms above or you’re curious how stress is impacting your mineral levels and thyroid, the HTMA mineral package is for you. Get to the bottom of it and know which foods to focus on for your body.
The mineral package includes:
30 minute 1:1 intake
HTMA test
45 minute 1:1 test results review
protocol based on your goals and results
I’m currently offering my first ever sale, so if you’re ready to get a customized plan for you, use code HTMA100 to save $100 Canadian off this package. I currently meet people face to face, but in the future this package may shift to a sreenshare recoding so take advantage now.
Note: if you’re looking for more in depth support, I highly recommend booking the 5 month gut health intensive. Clients can add testing (GI-MAP, DUTCH or HTMA testing to this 1:1 program). This is where deep sustainable transformation occurs with chat M-F in an app with 5 appointments. I offer complimentary 15 minute discovery calls to help you choose the best package for your life. Start by filling out the short application form and I’ll be in touch within 1-2 business days.