Functional testing
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)
An HTMA looks at the minerals in a small sample of scalp hair. It is $380, which covers the laboratory test and my interpretation of the results, read alongside your bloods and history rather than on its own. It is not booked online: talk to me first, so we can check it is the right test for you.
- Fee $380 Covers the laboratory test and my interpretation of the results.
- Laboratory InterClinical An accredited laboratory. Results are reported in parts per million.
- Report 37 minerals Nutrient and toxic minerals, plus 27 mineral ratios.
- Sample Scalp hair A small sample. Nothing invasive.
What an HTMA is
A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis measures the mineral content of a small sample of scalp hair. The laboratory reports nutrient minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, calcium, sodium and potassium, a range of toxic elements, and the ratios between them.
Hair grows slowly and takes up minerals as it grows, so the result reflects a longer stretch of time than a blood test taken on one day.
What it can be useful for
Patterns and ratios, more than single numbers. Minerals work together, so the relationship between two of them often says more than either figure on its own.
A raised toxic element can also start a useful conversation about exposure: your home, your water, your work and what you eat often.
What it cannot do
It does not replace a blood test, and a normal blood result is not wrong because an HTMA looks different. The two tests measure different things.
It cannot diagnose heavy metal poisoning, measure how much of anything is stored in your body, or show that a mineral is causing your symptoms. Hair can also be affected by contamination and hair treatments, so one high figure is never a conclusion on its own.
How I use the results
I read an HTMA alongside your blood tests, your history and how you actually feel. It is one piece of the picture, never the whole of it.
If a result or your history raises a real concern, particularly about lead, mercury, arsenic or cadmium, I send you to your GP for blood or urine testing. That is the right test for that question, and hair is not.
Talk to me before you order an HTMA
Call or text, or ask on the free roadmap call. If your bloods and history already answer the question, I will tell you.
Questions about HTMA
How much does an HTMA cost?
An HTMA is $380. That covers the laboratory test and my interpretation of the results.
Does an HTMA replace a blood test?
No. A blood test measures what is circulating on the day it is taken. An HTMA analyses hair, which reflects a longer period. They answer different questions, and I use them together.
Can an HTMA tell me if I have heavy metal poisoning?
No. A hair test can show that a toxic element is worth asking about, but it cannot diagnose poisoning or measure what is stored in your body. Suspected exposure is assessed by your GP with blood or urine testing.
Is the test invasive?
No. It uses a small sample of scalp hair, which is sent to InterClinical Laboratories for analysis.
Can I book an HTMA online?
No. Call or text me first on 0434 095 779, so we can check it is the right test for you before you pay for it.