HTMA analyses the mineral content in your child’s hair, offering insights into their nutritional patterns and potential toxic metal exposure over the past 3–4 months. It helps identify possible contributors to developmental, behavioural, or health challenges.

Mineral ratios can provide insight into areas like:

Zinc/Copper Ratio: Imbalances here can contribute to mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and immune challenges.

Calcium/Magnesium Ratio: Highlights energy levels and stress handling.

Sodium/Potassium Ratio: Indicates adrenal health and resilience to stress.

Your HTMA test analyses the mineral content in your hair, offering insights into your body’s nutrient levels and heavy metal exposure over the past 3–4 months. It helps identify patterns that may explain fatigue, stress, hormonal imbalances, or other health concerns.

Mineral ratios provide a deeper understanding of your body’s metabolic functions:

Calcium/Magnesium Ratio: High levels might indicate chronic stress, low energy production, or poor calcium metabolism. For example, poor calcium metabolism can lead to muscle cramps, fatigue, or even bone health issues as calcium is deposited in soft tissues rather than being properly utilised in the bones. For example, high calcium with low magnesium could mean calcium isn’t being utilised effectively, contributing to fatigue or muscle tension.

Sodium/Potassium Ratio: This “adrenal ratio” reflects your adrenal health and ability to handle stress. A low ratio often points to burnout or fatigue, while a high ratio might indicate acute stress.

Zinc/Copper Ratio: Imbalances here can affect mental health, immunity, and hormonal balance. For instance, high copper with low zinc is commonly linked to mood instability, anxiety, and hormonal symptoms like PMS.

High Levels: High levels can indicate poor utilisation or the body’s effort to excrete excess amounts. For example, high calcium may mean it’s being stored in soft tissues rather than used in bones, potentially contributing to stiffness or joint pain.

Low Levels: Often reflect dietary deficiencies, poor absorption, or depletion due to stress or illness. For example, low magnesium may manifest as fatigue, muscle cramps, or sleep disturbances.

Examples:

High Sodium/Potassium: May suggest an acute stress response, leading to irritability or trouble concentrating.

Low Zinc/High Copper: Commonly associated with mood swings or poor immune function.

Focus on nutrient-dense, bioavailable foods: These are foods that the body can absorb and use efficiently, which is particularly important when addressing imbalances highlighted by HTMA results. Bioavailable foods reduce the strain on digestion and maximise nutrient uptake, ensuring the minerals you consume are effectively utilised.

Magnesium: Found in bone broths, cacao, nuts like almonds, dark chocolate, avocados, bananas, and pumpkin seeds. Magnesium supports over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, helping with energy production, muscle relaxation, and sleep quality. Low levels can cause muscle cramps, fatigue, and anxiety.

Calcium: Found in grass-fed dairy, small fish (like sardines with bones), homemade broths, sesame seeds, tahini, fortified plant-based milks, and almonds. Essential for strong bones and teeth, as well as nerve and muscle function. Poor calcium utilisation may lead to stiffness or joint discomfort.

Potassium: Found in avocado, coconut water, bananas, sweet potatoes, beetroot, and root vegetables like squash. Critical for heart health, muscle contractions, and maintaining fluid balance. Low levels can lead to weakness, fatigue, or irregular heart rhythms.

Zinc: Found in oysters, grass-fed red meat, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chickpeas, and lentils (soaked and cooked to reduce anti-nutrients). Vital for immune function, wound healing, and healthy skin. Deficiencies may result in frequent colds, poor wound healing, or slow growth.

For Vegetarians:

Seaweed: Excellent for iodine and trace minerals.

Soaked or Sprouted Nuts and Seeds: Improve absorption and reduce anti-nutrients.

Legumes: Soaked and cooked properly to maximise mineral availability.

Focus on nutrient-dense, bioavailable foods: These are foods that the body can absorb and use efficiently, which is particularly important when addressing imbalances highlighted by HTMA results. Bioavailable foods reduce the strain on digestion and maximise nutrient uptake, ensuring the minerals you consume are effectively utilised.

Supplements are often helpful, particularly for minerals like magnesium and zinc that are difficult to obtain in sufficient amounts through diet alone. When choosing supplements, look for high-quality, trusted brands that use bioavailable forms (e.g., magnesium glycinate or zinc picolinate).

Always consult with a practitioner to avoid creating new imbalances.

Stress Management: Chronic stress depletes magnesium and potassium. Incorporate mindfulness practices, regular sleep, and moderate exercise.

Hydration: Use filtered water with added trace minerals to support kidney function.

Toxin Avoidance: Swap aluminium cookware and processed foods for safer, whole-food alternatives.

Toxic metals such as lead, mercury, and aluminium can disrupt enzyme activity and impact energy levels, mood, and immunity. High levels in your HTMA results suggest the need for detoxification support.

Steps to reduce exposure and detoxify naturally:

Water Filtration: Use filters to remove heavy metals.

Nutrient Support: Incorporate sulphur-rich foods like garlic and onions to support liver detoxification.

Sweating: Engage in gentle exercise or sauna sessions to promote toxin elimination.

For Adults Example: High aluminium might come from cookware. Switching to stainless steel or cast iron and improving detox pathways can help lower levels over time.

If heavy metal levels are high, a practitioner can create a safe, personalised detox plan. Avoid aggressive detox protocols without guidance, as they can strain your body.

We recommend retesting every 3–6 months to track your progress and refine your wellness strategy.

HTMA results reflect long-term trends, not immediate conditions. This means the test provides an overview of your body’s mineral and metal balance over several months, rather than capturing temporary changes caused by recent diet or illness.

Understanding these trends helps you focus on gradual improvements, such as dietary adjustments or lifestyle changes, to achieve lasting results. For example, you may feel fatigued even with “normal” mineral levels due to other factors like gut health or hormonal imbalances. Consider HTMA part of a broader health picture.