What is HTMA?

HTMA, hair tissue mineral analysis, is a non-invasive and cost effective analysis you can do from the comforts of your home in minutes.

HTMA reveals your unique mineral deficiencies and imbalances helping discover the root causes of your symptoms.

I remember the first time I did an HTMA test well over a decade ago, I thought, wow, you can learn ALL that from your hair?

After my third baby and over 6 years of being pregnant or breastfeeding, I recently ran an HTMA test on myself. When I got the results, I thought wow, this explains so much of what I am feeling and also some indicators of how I could be more proactive.

Sure enough, I was VERY depleted, in a 4 lows pattern and my adrenal ratio was terribly low. I truthfully wasn’t shocked but it’s been so helpful to guide me forward with a plan that’s right for me in this season, rather than guessing and throwing random supplements into the mix.

After a few months, I have to say my energy and sleep have been amazing!! All this from a few strands of hair. I’ve even majorly minimized my supplement routine because I know exactly what to give my body.

I never knew my hair could tell me so much about my health.

Hair tissue mineral analysis reveals our body’s mineral levels, toxic heavy metal load and mineral ratios. Mineral ratios reveal our body’s adrenal and thyroid function, stress response, blood sugar and carbohydrate metabolism and how our body is handling stress in general.

If our body is too depleted or in a state of adrenal exhaustion, HTMA can also tell us that we need to go slow, so we don’t overly stress the body by adding in too much and having that backfire.

You can tell all this from a piece of hair? YES!

Read: Natural Hair Products to Grow and Nourish >

Minerals all work in relation to each other. 

Minerals are the ultimate team sport.

They don’t function individually—they are all interconnected to each other.

For example, you could have appropriate levels of magnesium circulating, but do you have appropriate ratios of calcium to magnesium and sodium to magnesium?

What HTMA reveals about your symptoms

Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) shows HOW minerals and nutrients are actually working in the body and cells. Cellular function is key, because many minerals are intercellular, meaning we want them working effectively inside the cells as compared to just “circulating” or stored in the body. 

Blood work gives us a snapshot of what is circulating in the body compared to HTMA tells us how the body is effectively using those minerals.

Blood work could show us that “everything is in range” but HTMA could reveal “oh that’s the reason for your symptoms”.

Lightbulb moment anyone? 

For example, let’s say you have a thyroid or hormone blood panel done, and everything is “in range.” BUT you have symptoms and you don’t feel yourself. Goodness, I’ve been there so many times myself.

Well HTMA could show us that those minerals aren’t in balance, or aren’t being used properly by the cells. So you could have “in range” thyroid hormone circulating but the thyroid hormones aren’t being used properly in the cells or don’t have the right minerals needed to be active thyroid hormones. Hence, your symptoms.

How do minerals get depleted or out of range?

Ideally, we should get minerals from eating a balanced diet. However pregnancy and postpartum, modern manufacturing processes, pesticides, toxins and mineral depleted soil greatly impact the mineral quality and nutrients of our food. The food our grandparents or even parents ate is not the same food we eat today!

…and then there’s the stress factor!

The stress – mineral connection

Stress (both hidden and visible) is the biggest factor that affects and depletes minerals! Now, stress can be hidden—mineral imbalances, blood sugar swings, nutrient deficiencies, or underlying infections in the body.

When the body is under stress, it burns through minerals more quickly to meet the demands of stress.

Lack of minerals and nutrients means our body doesn’t have the materials needed to navigate the stressor, so stress and symptoms increase.

Hidden, or internal stressors, are such a huge part of how we feel. Stress isn’t always a rough day at work, an emotional conversation or a toddler meltdown, stress can come from inflammation, heavy metals or lack of mineral balance. HTMA shows us what’s going on inside the body that we can’t see.

The anxiety – mineral connection

Minerals are the spark plugs and are responsible for endless functions in our bodies, both physically and mentally. Without the raw building blocks, your body and brain can’t function efficiently.  

Bringing minerals back into balance shifts the body out of a chronic stress state so you have the capacity to think rationally and process emotional stressors. 

If your body does not have the building blocks, then all the best “therapy” and calming techniques can’t be put into practice because your brain and body simply don’t have the means to do so. Once your physical body has the energy, all the emotional tools you’ve gathered will start to implement and take root!

Another anxiety-mineral connection is copper toxicity, which is rampant, especially among women. Assessing for copper toxicity takes quite a few calculations that I do after getting my client’s HTMA results. It’s always SO fascinating to tell clients that many of their symptoms are linked to copper. 

Copper toxicity can show up as panic, anxious thoughts, depressive thoughts, fatigue, brain fog, and more. 

Read: Natural Remedies for Anxious Thoughts >

Do you need a detox protocol or do you need mineral balance?

Fancy and expensive gut testing or detox protocols are quite trendy right now, BUT are they the right step for you?

Healing and detox work is an energy intensive process—if you are in a weakened state of energy or mineral depletion, the deep work may not be possible right now because your body brilliantly prioritizes life sustaining functions (like keeping your heart beating) over “healing.”

Let’s say you are dealing with heavy metal toxicity? Well, bringing your minerals into balance will naturally push those heavy metals out. If you are mineral deficient, your body is not in a place to handle an intense detox and your symptoms could worsen. 

Your body might not be in a place of capacity and energy to do the deeper healing work, and that’s OK! 

For my clients that need deeper healing work, I always tell them—we have to take a step back first. Let’s first bring your energy up, so your body can handle the tools you give it. The detoxes, cleanses and intense protocols are shiny and often glamorous, but we want to make sure YOUR body is in a state of energy and capacity to receive this deeper work.

You wouldn’t run a marathon without training right? Same with your healing. When your body has the right building blocks, it will function efficiently. Let’s start at the starting line first, do the foundational work and watch your body start to heal without restriction, intense or expensive protocols.

What are the benefits of HTMA?

HTMA test doesn’t hurt! 

HTMA is non-invasive, done from the comforts of your own home, and very cost effective! 

After we receive your test results, Caroline will match your symptoms and goals with your HTMA test. Your protocol is totally personalized, designed to give you the best results possible.

Your symptoms and your goals matter. If you are frustrated by being told “everything is in range” but you still have symptoms, the HTMA process will help you!

Ready to get your hair mineral analysis?

If you are struggling with exhaustion, brain fog, anxious thoughts, hormone imbalances, sleep, thyroid or digestive issues, HTMA could be a powerful tool for you. Or maybe, like myself and so many others, you’ve been told that everything is “in range” but still are struggling.

I’d love, and be honored to help you get at the root cause of your symptoms and go from surviving to flourishing. 

Book your HTMA consult >

FAQs

What is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)?

• HTMA is a non-invasive test that analyzes the mineral content of your hair. It provides insights into your body’s mineral deficiencies and imbalances, offering a deeper understanding of your overall health.

How can HTMA benefit me?

• HTMA can help identify hidden mineral imbalances that may not be detectable through standard blood tests. This can be crucial in addressing various health issues such as adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalances, and metabolic disorders.

What does HTMA reveal about my health?

• HTMA shows the levels and ratios of essential minerals and toxic heavy metals in your body. It can indicate how well your body is handling stress, your adrenal and thyroid health, and your risk for certain health conditions.

Is HTMA painful?

• No, HTMA is a completely non-invasive test. It involves simply cutting a small sample of hair from the back of your head.

How do I prepare for an HTMA test?

• Generally, you should avoid using hair products that might leave residue for a few days before taking the sample. This ensures the accuracy of mineral readings.

Can HTMA diagnose diseases?

• HTMA is not a diagnostic tool for diseases but rather a screening tool for mineral imbalances and toxic metal accumulation that can suggest predispositions to various health conditions.

What is the difference between HTMA and blood tests for mineral analysis?

• Unlike blood tests that provide a snapshot of the minerals that are circulating in your bloodstream at a particular moment, HTMA offers a longer-term view of mineral accumulation and excretion patterns over several months.

How often should I do an HTMA test?

• It depends on your health condition and goals. Typically, it might be recommended to retest every 3-6 months to monitor changes and the effectiveness of dietary and lifestyle modifications.

What should I do after receiving my HTMA results?

• It’s best to review your HTMA results with a health practitioner who can help tailor a specific nutritional and supplement protocol based on your unique mineral profile and health needs.

Are there any age restrictions for HTMA testing?

• HTMA is suitable for individuals of all ages, including children, as long as hair samples can be collected properly.