Many physicians still rely on blood testing to assess for metal toxicity and mineral status.  Unfortunately this blind-spot in medical thinking results in widespread misdiagnosis and non-detection of mineral-related health issues since blood testing does not accurately pick up on mineral imbalances at the cellular level or toxicities at the tissue level.  

• Example 1: A blood test can show a perfectly 'healthy' level of copper even in the presence of copper toxicity in the tissues (very common). 
• Example 2: Forty days after acute lead exposure, lead is undetectable in the blood, though it's still stored in the body. 
• Example 3: When blood calcium drops, calcium is removed from bone to replenish the blood - meaning the blood calcium can appear within normal range even though bones are being demineralized and osteoporosis is developing.  
• Example 4. An intracellular magnesium loss or potassium loss may be occurring at the cellular level even when the blood shows normal or high.
• Example 5: Even the more advanced RBC (red blood cell) test for magnesium lacks logic. Roughly only 1% of the body's magnesium is in the blood - almost all of it is in the mitochondria of the cell - and yet red blood cells don't have mitochondria! A person can be losing (or depleted of) magnesium long before it shows up in a blood test. 

These are just a few examples where a patient can mistakenly be given a clean bill of health when relying on blood data (even though they know deep inside that something is off).  These excesses and deficiencies however can usually be picked up quite easily on a properly interpreted HTMA.  Even more importantly, blood testing fails to provide key mineral ratios, essential indicators that must be examined to properly determine the extent of mineral deficiency or toxicity conditions, and the subsequent supplementation and correction program.  Without this vital information,  supplementation (or mineral detox programs) are being done blindly.

When toxic amounts of a mineral (or heavy metal) accumulate in the body, they do not stay in the blood. This is due to blood's homeostatic nature.  Blood must, by necessity, remove excess toxins and minerals quickly.  Some of this excess gets excreted in urine (urine analysis shows what's being excreted). Much of the excess amount however gets stored, in a bio-unavailable form that the body can't use, in the cells and tissues. In many cases where HTMA data would pick up toxic levels of stored minerals or metals in the body, the doctor relying on blood test results may tell the patient they're fine. This over-reliance on blood results is a key reason why so many symptoms remain 'mysteries' to physicians, why the epidemic of 'copper toxicity' remains largely silent and greatly misunderstood or even denied, and why there is such poor understanding of the connection mineral imbalances have on health. 

"HTMA is truly the gold standard to determine the status of magnesium in the body and not even the heralded Mg RBC test can challenge HTMA with the accuracy and insight that this tissue analysis provides, especially when comparing blood levels of the nutrient minerals and toxic metals to the tissue samples." ~Dr. Robert Selig

As explained above, blood is simply a system of nutrient transport, always working to return quickly to a homeostatic balance. 

*** The blood level does NOT reflect the stored tissue levels of metals and minerals at the cellular level ***

HTMA offers the following key benefits:

• sampling is simple and non-invasive
• mineral levels are much more accurately detected in hair than in blood
• Blood serum tests are misleading because excess minerals are not stored in the blood, they are stored in tissue!
• Since hair is a non-essential, excretory, storage, soft tissue of the body, the body tends to deposit more excess minerals and dangerous metals here than in many other tissue areas of the body. As the hair gets formed it's exposed to blood and intracellular fluids, and as the hair shaft hardens it preserves this 'blueprint' of what is happening in the body. 
• Hair results are not subject to hourly or daily fluctuations of levels, allowing for a much more reliable reading.
• HTMA provides key ratios & indicators which can detect imbalances that an individual mineral level by itself doesn't show.
• Hair remains stable for biopsy for months or even years
• it is extremely cost effective, accurate, and reliable

“Hair is formed in the dermis from a cluster of matrix cells that make up the follicle. During the growth phase, metabolic activity is greatly increased, exposing the hair to the internal metabolic environment. This includes the extracellular fluids, circulating blood, and lymph. As the hair reaches the surface of the skin, its outer layers harden, locking in the metabolic products accumulated during this period of hair formation.” 

~David L. Watts, Ph.D.

HTMA, is a powerful and potentially life-saving screening test.  Unfortunately, many people fall victim to the "HTMA is quackery" message, not understanding the history behind HTMA, the origin of that message, or even understanding that there are various forms of "hair analysis" and not all are the same.  While some forms of HTMA hold much more validity than others, the grouping of all hair analysis as being the same and then writing it off as "quackery" not only reflects ignorance, but also often ends up hurting the very people who could be helped most by HTMA - especially those affected by copper toxicity.  This section provides a background into these attempts to dismiss HTMA.

HTMA is a form of advanced nutrition science that threatens the finances of the health ("disease") care system - disease labels and pharmaceuticals are more profitable than supporting people with minerals and nutrition.  Keeping HTMA suppressed keep the public away from the understanding of how mineral imbalances impact health, and empowers a system that perpetuates pharmaceutical profits at the expense of public health. In 1985 and again in 2001, two small studies were picked up by the Journal of the American Medical Association that, on the surface, seemed to dismiss the accuracy of HTMA.  Though these studies violated most all acceptable protocol for testing, including ignoring the most basic principles for how to cut the hair itself and even using an illegally operating unlicensed mineral testing laboratory, and even though the data when properly interpreted after the fact still showed very clear patterns and accuracy of .999%, the subsequent media campaigns were presented in such a way as to cast doubt on HTMA.  As a result, those studies, still often referred to, have been used to disuade people from HTMA and, in doing so, impede the progress of nutritional understanding, especially with conditions such as copper toxicity and magnesium deficiency.  In fact, the author of the first study was found by the California Appeals Court to be "biased and unworthy of credibility".  Yet this individual continues to run various websites that discredit HTMA by calling it 'quackery', while using the same term to also discredit a large number of other natural health practices that help people avoid drugs and surgery, including acupuncture, TCM, chiropractic, orthomolecular therapy, naturopathy, et al.  These sites, often appearing "science-based" and official, commonly show up near the top of search results.  The public, largely unaware of this background, innocently fall victim to such messaging, and then end up sharing it with others, keeping people more and more in the dark.  At the time of those bias studies, great marketing efforts were put in to their promotion.  Skeptics love to refer back to those studies, giving ammunition to call into question the accuracy of HTMA.  Accuracy, to be fair, is influenced when the hair is washed at the lab, the incorrect interpretation of results is applied, or the use of 'hair analysis' devices are used which completely ignore the science of mineral balancing and which read levels at face value.  Such practices are, unfortunately, fairly common, and are legitimate reasons why one might question HTMA validity.   However, when assayed properly by either of the two leading HTMA labs (which don't wash the hair sample), the high accuracy and benefits of HTMA is easily proven. 

The use of prescribed clinical quality control, including method validation, proficiency testing, split sampling,

and good laboratory practices clearly demonstrates that measuring trace elements in hair can be analytically valid.

[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11703167/]

The high accuracy of HTMA is further explained, along with corroborating lab data, in the orthomolecular.org article referenced below.  Additionally, this article provides an excellent background summary into the fraudulent and malicious attempts that have gone in to suppressing HTMA:  http://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/soy-alert/hair-apparent-the-case-of-the-quackbuster/

An unfortunate practice that has further hindered the broader acceptance of HTMA is that a large number of practitioners from a popular 'HTMA / nutritional balancing' school have been led to infuse dogmatic views of religion, sexuality, etc into their programs with clients.  This has done widescale damage to the reputation and validity of HTMA as a whole, and provides ample ammunition to those who call it quackery.  Such dogmatic views however have nothing to do with authentic HTMA and only dilute the nutritional and scientific health value that HTMA provides.  

Another reason why HTMA is not more commonly accepted amongst doctors is that most MDs receive very limited training in nutrition, let alone the complex interpretation of HTMA charts.  Interpreting HTMA data is nowhere near as simple as just looking at a mineral level. It is extremely complex and takes years of dedicated study, yet some practitioners just assume they can read a chart at face value.  Currently, any M.D. can open an account at a testing lab and pass the results on to their patients, with the assumption that levels can be read at face value. Doing so, of course, will give an incorrect interpretation.  The most important strength of HTMA is in the correct INTERPRETATION of the results.  Without such, it becomes easy to dismiss HTMA as not being an accurate tool.  That however is not the fault of HTMA, but rather ignorance and/or a lack of understanding on the part of the practitioner. (If any practitioner has not studied the Eck / Watts approach to HTMA and the mineral system, then they likely do not have a full conceptual understanding of HTMA).

The Internet is full of misguided information, including articles written by popular 'celebrity' doctors in which they shamefully dismiss HTMA in favor of promoting the idea that "the only way to get accurate mineral status information is by measuring levels in the blood."   Such a statement alone shows a glaring ignorance as to how the body's biochemistry works - our biochemistry happens in the cell, not the blood, and imbalances typically occur at the cell and tissue level long before they appear in blood.  The benefits of HTMA over blood are explained in more detail at https://www.mineralsandhealth.com/htmavsblood.  The over-reliance on blood is also why so many people struggle with symptoms yet their blood mineral levels come back within range and they are dismissed as "fine".  The ignorance and denial of HTMA is putting lives at stake, literally. There are cases of deceased where the blood test showed "normal" but the post-mortem HTMA picked up the cause!  

As a result of bias and flawed studies, lack of nutritional education in medicine, doctors who either couldn't help their patients with HTMA due to their own lack of HTMA training or who dismiss HTMA in general, the toll has been taken.  With copper toxicity especially, affected women frequently ask "why isn't there more awareness", yet are sometimes hesitant themselves to pursue HTMA based on something they read online about 'HTMA being quackery'.  Not understanding this history, the public are the ones who have fallen victim.  

There are however thousands of peer-reviewed references that support HTMA and its astounding accuracy (when using either the ARL lab or TEI lab), decades of research behind mineral interrelationships and balancing, clear relationships between medical conditions and mineral patterns, and indisputable science that blood operates homeostatically at the expense of cell and tissue levels.  Patients who have spent thousands of dollars and numerous years getting 'medically recognized' testing done yet who are still no further ahead can often find clear answers within their very first HTMA.  Those who understand the benefits of HTMA (including various heads of government, world class athletes who have access to the very best medical care, forward thinking doctors and health practitioners, as well as the US Environmental Protection Agency, choose HTMA as the primary method of heavy metal testing and mineral screening.

A long list of references supporting the use of HTMA in the research and healthcare fields is available here:  https://www.traceelements.com/EducationalResources/HTMA.aspx

Additional references for this drop-down discussion:
http://orthomolecular.org/library/jom/2001/pdf/2001-v16n02-p091.pdf
http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/HA INTRO.htm

There are numerous services today that offer what they term "hair analysis".  Indeed, any test that analyses hair can technically be called "hair analysis".  However they are NOT all the same, and so many people get misled when they order a "hair analysis" assuming all the testing is the same.   This just further clouds the understanding and reputation of HTMA, and leads people further astray from finding the answers that they're looking for.  This is especially true when it comes to copper toxicity, for which already there is so much confusion spread online and in some social media groups as to how to address it.  To understand your mineral imbalances and how they impact health, it's so important to work with the right kind of hair analysis. 

Often, people will order a test that's "on sale", or they'll copy what someone else in some FB group has ordered, and in the end they end up wasting their money.   For example, some hair analysis services will test a few mineral levels and a plethora of odd metals, a few of which will almost always appear high and cause panic in the client without further explanation.  Some hair analysis services simply label the mineral and metal levels as "high, normal, or low", without any specific numbers provided from which essential ratios and mineral relationships can be determined.  Some hair analysis tests promote themselves more for food sensitivity testing, others are more focused on toxic metals; some labs wash the hair sample, others do not; some labs use mass spectrometry testing, others use bioresonance... the differences between such services are like day and night!

For those who are focused on understanding their copper status, please do not rush out and buy a test just because it includes "copper".  So many people make this mistake, and when the results come back, there is often no information provided for key nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, or some other minerals too, depending on the lab.  The levels of those minerals are essential to understanding one's copper status.  Copper "toxicity" or "deficiency" is not determined by simply seeing a high or low (or normal) HTMA copper level. Copper must be considered in the context of those other minerals!

For those looking for authentic HTMA, at least for the purpose of nutritional mineral balancing and understanding copper toxicity, it is highly suggested to work with either the pioneering labs ARL or TEI (or their affiliates), and then, equally important, having it professionally interpreted by an experienced practitioner.​  The power of HTMA, beyond being properly assayed, is in the professional and personalized interpretation of the data, not just the chart. 

The bottom line is: be cautious when buying a discount service or just some automated report ...too many people end up more confused than ever and left without proper personalized guidance on how to go forward.  In the end, with HTMA, you'll often get what you pay for. 

T.E.I. vs A.R.L. (For Those Interested in a Brief History)

Dr. Paul Eck (founder of Advanced Research Labs (ARL) and Dr. David L. Watts (founder of Trace Elements Inc) are considered the pioneers of HTMA research and nutritional balancing.  Working together they broke the "code" of hair mineral data in 1975. In their collaboration, they also applied concepts including the stages of stress (Dr. Hans Selye), biochemical individuality (Roger Williams, PhD), sympathetic and parasympathetic balancing (Dr. Melvin Page), oxidation types (Dr. George Watson), and mineral balancing (Dr. William Albrecht). They further went on to develop specific mineral ratios that represent 'ideal' levels, with deviations from this 'ideal level' resulting in various yet consistent medical manifestations, both physical and psychological.  

Over time, Dr Watts began noticing that people who were dumping copper (detoxing) would have high Potassium levels, and would often get worse when ARL's recommended correction involved a reduction in Potassium.  Dr. Watts discovered that the elevated Potassium level during copper dumping is actually a loss of Potassium from within the cell, reflecting a Potassium deficiency, rather than excess. Though this loss was further evidenced through urine testing, Dr. Eck refused to accept this phenomenon and this in turn led to a split between Dr. Eck and Dr. Watts and their approach to treating the Na/K inversion.  Dr. Watts then went his own way to create TEI in 1984.

Personally, I do not agree with the approach used by many  of the Dr Eck / Wilson disciples and ARL practitioners who give calcium and vitamin D supplements to slow metabolizers - such an approach is widely disagreed upon by those who've studied under the TEI/Watts/Malter system and who recognize that for such individuals, giving extra calcium and vitamin D only worsens their mineral pattern, or keeps them stuck.  Likewise, many HTMA practitioners follow a "nutritional balancing" approach which infuses conspiratorial views of politics, religion, and spirituality...this completely takes away from the true science of mineral balancing and only further adds fuel to those who aim to de-legitimize HTMA.  Such an approach is NOT what we believe in here!!  Meanwhile, a popular protocol being promoted through social media these days pushes the idea that everyone should avoid nutrients like zinc and molybdenum...this (for some people) can be very damaging and detrimental and underscores the importance of never approaching mineral balancing from a "one size fits all" approach.  Unfortunately, many nutritional balancing practitioners are being trained in these outdated and ignorant approaches.

When it comes to the actual testing however, both ARL and TEI are labs that specialize ONLY in HTMA, and are both recognized as the leading labs for HTMA testing, following all proper testing protocol.  Between the two, TEI tests for more heavy metals than what ARL offers. TEI is a federally licensed and certified Clinical Laboratory: #45-D0481787.  TEI is the lab we, here, work with.  

The misconception is that by simply eating "healthy", your body will be nutritionally balanced.  This is not the way our bodies work however.  Everyone has mineral imbalances, it's just a matter to what extent.  Often, those who believe they are living the healthiest seem to have the greatest imbalances.  An example of this can be seen in vegetarians and vegans who are admirably committed to living healthy, yet will almost always, sooner or later, show signs of copper toxicity, zinc deficiency, and potassium deficiency. One of the most important minerals that almost everyone is deficient in, magnesium, is chelated (depleted) by glyphosate (the main ingredient in the Roundup herbicide sprayed on a vast majority of crops, especially wheat, oats, lentils, peas, non-GMO soybeans, corn, flax, potatos, etc.  We even lose magnesium when under stress (something that affects pretty much everyone).  Also applicable to everyone is the fact that we are exposed to toxins daily, through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Those toxic elements can then go on to actually replace our essential minerals in receptor sites. Calcium for example might be replaced with strontium; zinc might be replaced with mercury, etc.  We are also exposed to toxic levels of some metals in utero, beginning life on day 1 with imbalances.  On top of that, many individuals are on one form of medication or another, and medications for pain, heartburn, depression, thyroid disease, cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc can deplete iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, and various vitamin levels. We can trace toxic metals to our water and a large supply of our crops. Not only is glyphosate a concern as mentioned, but even crops labeled 'organic' are often sprayed with 'organic' copper sulfate which numerous studies show is toxic to humans. Also, our soils today are so greatly nutritionally depleted that even if you do all you can to eat raw and 'healthy', the food itself is deplete in mineral content.  Even if you take a one-a-day multivitamin, this does not ensure that you are actually absorbing those minerals, nor are those nutrients customized for YOUR body. In fact, supplementing most vitamins can actually further deplete your minerals! Most people have low stomach acid, and this poor digestion further affects the absorption of minerals - even if you consume enough of a mineral it simply may not be getting absorbed. It's also unrealistic to believe that decades of toxins and imbalances can be fixed with some 30-day fast or packaged detox program. Balancing takes time, together with specific nutrients targeted for your own unique biochemistry.

"For many years I thought that because I grow and eat organic produce and eat a well balanced diet, my minerals would be taken care of!  

I am sad to think it's taken this long before I've truly discovered the importance of minerals."  ~Jo

Just as important as individual mineral levels are the ratios between certain minerals. Over decades of research and thousands of cases, certain conditions can be clearly determined by the extent of a mineral ratio. Some of the key ratios are:

Metabolic Type Ratio (Ca/P)
The ideal Calcium to Phosphorus ratio is 2.6:1.  Above 2.6 represents a slow metabolizer experiencing stages of stress burnout and a slowing of the adrenals and thyroid. The slow metabolizer is fatigued due to impaired conversion of nutrients into energy.  Below 2.6 represents a fast metabolizer experiencing intense stress and a tendency for magnesium & calcium loss. The fast metabolizer is burning their fuel too quickly and running themselves out of energy.  Too high a calcium level slows metabolism. Looking at this ratio you'll see your metabolic type..which in turn helps determine what type of diet can be most optimal for you.  (Example, a slow metabolizer should generally consume lower amounts of fat and calcium as both will further slow metabolism further).

Stress Ratio (Na/K)
The ideal Sodium to Potassium ratio is 2.4:1.  The higher this number, the more intense the person's stress response, and with it, a tendency for negative psychological and 'short fuse' reactions, fight or flight, and anger.  The higher the number, the more likely the patient is also losing magnesium.  Vitamin D supplementation may increase this ratio by lowering the Potassium level.  In other words, a person with a high Na/K ratio should generally not be taking Vitamin D, especially at high dose).  A low ratio on the other hand can be a reflection of adrenal burnout and exhaustion, and at very low levels can lead to heart attack and cancer and, like a high ratio, liver / kidney disorders.  The balancing of this ratio is essential, especially for anyone dealing with copper toxicity who, at high levels of copper or copper mobilization through detox, is greatly affected by the negative psychological aspects of a high Na/K which create reflex 'short fuse' reactions that bypass higher cortical intellect functions.  This key ratio therefore shows the intensity of stress, the corresponding psychological stress reactions that a person may experience, as well as the propensity for magnesium loss. 

Thyroid Ratio (Ca/K)
The ideal Calcium to Potassium ratio is 4.2:1. Both calcium and potassium play an important role in thyroid activity.  As calcium slows the thyroid and potassium speeds it up, a high ratio of calcium indicates an underactive thyroid (or more commonly, hypothyroid "expression" even if clinical lab markers are okay.   A low Ca/K ratio suggests an overactive thyroid.  Even when a blood thyroid test comes back healthy, the HTMA may show otherwise, as the HTMA better shows how well thyroid hormone is being absorbed. Thyroid issues can often be seen through HTMA long before they might ever show up in blood.  

Adrenal Ratio (Na/Mg)
The ideal Sodium to Magnesium ratio is 4:1. Sodium levels are directly associated with adrenal function. A higher ratio represents hyper-adrenal activity (with symptoms including inflammation, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, diabetes, hypertension, Type A personality), while a low ratio represents adrenal insufficiency (leading to fatigue, depression, hypoglycaemia, poor digestion, changes in weight, and allergies).   HTMA provides excellent indicators that show if a person is hyper-adrenal or hypo-adrenal, and how exhausted / burned out they may be. 

Hormone & Energy Ratio (Zn/Cu)
The ideal Zinc to Copper ratio is 8:1. A higher level of zinc generally reflects progesterone dominance and copper deficiency (with symptoms that may include anemia, arthritis, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, amenorrhea, and more).  A higher level of copper on the other hand indicates copper toxicity and estrogen dominance with symptoms which may include skin problems (such acne, psoriasis, eczema), emotional instability, "spaciness", detached behaviour, schizophrenia, PMS, reproductive problems, prostatitis, menstrual difficulties including amenorrhea, diminished feelings, depression and fatigue. (Note that often very often copper toxicity may be present even with a high Zn/Cu ratio and this underscores why other factors need to be looked at to determine latent toxicity).

Blood Sugar Ratio (Ca/Mg)
The ideal Calcium to Magnesium ratio is 7:1.  The risk for hypoglycemia increases as the ratio moves in either direction away from the ideal and, at both very high and very low calcium levels, mental and emotional disturbances may result. A high ratio of Ca/Mg also leads to increased insulin secretion, increased risk of muscle spasms, increased risk of blood clotting, and heightened anxiety. 

"Hair analysis" is a catch-all term that simply refers to any kind of test which "analyzes hair".  There are all sorts of "hair analysis" on the market, all looking at different things and with all different kinds of testing procedures - some much more backed by science than others.  The Hair Analysis that we specialize in (and the only one that we stand by) is that which looks at minerals and toxic metals, using mass spectrometry testing as performed by one of the pioneering and still today leading labs worldwide - Trace Elements Inc.  

This test examines the status of 36 minerals and toxic metals. An example of the elements tested is available HERE.  (Note: We also always include the element Boron at no extra charge (most services charge extra for that mineral). 

The question is commonly asked, "does this also look at vitamins?".  This test is not testing vitamin status per se.  However, with proper interpretation of HTMA results, vitamin needs can be inferred.  In other words, if one simply tests for vitamins through some other test, it doesn't tell you anything about your mineral levels, and minerals are needed to support your vitamins!  Furthermore, let's say a blood test shows "low vitamin D", or "high vitamin B-12".  Typically, the suggestion would then be given to supplement more Vitamin D and avoid B12.   Yet, a properly tested and interpreted HTMA test is able to shine much more light on the situation.  The low Vitamin D may be caused by low magnesium, as is often the case. The high B12 could be caused by insufficient lithium needed to transport B12 into the cell.  Or, on the opposite side of the coin with B12, a lack of certain minerals can lead to low stomach acid which can then impair B12 status.   When the multitude of ways that minerals support and regulate vitamins is understood and applied to the interpretation of an HTMA chart, there simply is no better test available that provides as much data on both areas (minerals and vitamins) and, even more importantly, how those imbalances may directly be relating to health conditions.      

A Profile 1 HTMA provides your mineral, metal, and ratio results in numerical and chart format.  This is the key information any practitioner needs to then work from. 
 

A Profile 2 provides an automated lab report and basic protocol. It can provide the client with some basic guidance, however, there is also a danger in relying solely on a Profile 2 report. The complexity of HTMA makes it near impossible for any computer to properly assess a  mineral pattern. "Loss patterns" for example, are extremely common in HTMA, and these patterns can show up as a high HTMA level even though the body is losing, or depleted, in that nutrient.  Yet, automated reports will typically suggest there is no need for that nutrient because it appears 'high' in the chart.  Likewise, hidden toxicities are often missed when relying on an automated report.  Getting the most out of an HTMA needs a properly trained human eye.  Most budget services will simply provide a Profile 2, but this lack of further guidance is one of the reasons why people remain so confused about their HTMA results.  If you are working with a well trained HTMA practitioner, there is little need for the Profile 2, and the protocol and guidance provided becomes much more targeted and personalized. 

While HTMA has been regaining popularity amongst practitioners, unfortunately there are far too many who are using it without adequate training. This section offers a few important words of caution...if a practitioner is doing any of the following, it's probably a wise sign to work with someone new.

1. Major Red Flag --> reading charts at face value (telling you a high bar means you have enough, or that a low bar always means deficiency)
2. selling one 'magical' protocol that they try convincing you is the answer to everything
3. denying the idea of copper toxicity
4. pushing chelation therapy
5. simply providing a discounted (or free) computerized report without further explanation and guidance (many 'services' out there do this...be careful!!)
6. not taking into account a person's health history, medications, etc when reviewing HTMA charts
7. frequently pushing the supplementation of high dose Vitamin D

8. protocols suggesting no one should supplement certain minerals such as zinc or molybdenum 
9. providing fringe hair analysis services (there are many of these out there too!) without any training in the concepts developed by Eck and Watts

10. services that 'scan' a single hair follicle (and again provide only a computerized report)
11. not understanding or educating clients on the emotional and psychological effects of imbalances shown in the HTMA

12. pushing dogmatic and conspiratorial views of religion, politics, or sexuality (this has nothing to do with authentic HTMA!!!)
13. looking at (and trying to 'fix') mineral levels in isolation without regard to the big picture.

It cannot be stressed enough that HTMA charts should never be read at 'face value'. Many discount' services simply pass on an automated lab report without any further guidance, and it leaves so many patients left wondering what to do with their results or, worse, they follow computer-generated suggestions which so often ends up not being accurate.   This further confuses the public and marrs the reputation of hair analysis. Likewise, many HTMA practitioners are trained in a "nutritional balancing" approach that claims to be 'true HTMA' but includes abstract and often offensive views on sexuality, politics, religion, and spirituality...such approaches only further lead away from real biochemical science and provides fuel for those who wish to dismiss the value of HTMA.  It's imperative that the integrity and authenticity of nutrition-based hair analysis be maintained, for it offers an extremely important tool when used correctly. 

Any M.D. can open a lab account, but this alone does not qualify them to interpret HTMA. The majority of those offering HTMA have simply not been adequately trained to work with the results.   HTMA looks simple, but is infinitely complex - it requires years of dedicated practice.  A good practitioner must be able to speak to you about: the interrelationship of minerals, mineral ratios, hidden toxicities, mineral loss patterns, how and when low (hidden) copper signifies a toxicity, etc.  They'll have training from more than one approach, and will avoid pushing blanket 'root protocols' that claim to provide the answer to everyone (we are all bio-individually unique!).  Lastly, the qualified practitioner should have years of HTMA experience and be equally capable of understanding psychological manifestations of mineral imbalances as they are with physical symptoms. 

Chelation therapy should be a last resort, used only in emergency situations.  First, with chelation, you are typically pulling out the good with the bad; it's difficult to target just one thing. Also, toxic metals are often inside cells or linked to enzyme binding sites as a replacement for an insufficient level of the preferred nutrient. In other words, the toxic metal is serving a purpose. As an example, mercury is antimicrobial (a reason why it's a part of dental fillings). If you try to chelate mercury out of the body too fast, it can allow infections to catch fire. Instead, the mineral balancing approach aims to restore a healthy level of the nutrient mineral while also supporting the adrenals and liver, and which then in time allows the body to safely release the toxins naturally.

HTMA offers benefits FAR beyond just screening for copper toxicity.  Our HTMA (through Trace Elements Inc) tests for 36 minerals and toxic metals.  Every person has various imbalances, with copper being just one.  For many people, copper is not the issue, but there are other imbalances that show up which can hold the key to understanding their symptoms.  There are also those who feel copper might be the issue, but the test reveals some other imbalance of even greater importance.  HTMA is also invaluable for seeing circulating levels of toxic metals, which can then further guide a more intelligent detox approach. 

As much as HTMA can be used to provide insight into current symptoms, HTMA is just as much a proactive test for addressing hidden imbalances today before they end up manifesting as symptoms down the road.  

The benefit of HTMA is in the interpretation of results and the actions one takes.  Simply ordering a test, by itself, without personalized interpretation, certainly has limitations.  However, when your HTMA results are looked at in the context of your personal health history, symptoms (or lack thereof), and a personalized approach (protocol) is provided, the HTMA can provide tremendous benefit. 
 

HTMA provides an important window through which to view the body's biochemistry.  Without testing, people are left uninformed of the imbalances in their body.  Yet, everyone has imbalances to some degree, whether it be mineral imbalances, or the presence of toxic metals.  Seeing these imbalances through testing can often help explain symptoms, while also providing an important roadmap (guidance) for balancing the body in order to help prevent other symptoms from developing down the road.  In this context, from toddlers to seniors, HTMA can provide invaluable benefit to everyone.