Hair Tissue Minerals & Toxic Metals Test

ARL Hair Tissue Mineral & Analysis offers insights into recent and ongoing exposure to potentially harmful metals, particularly methylmercury and arsenic, as well as the long-term status of specific nutrient elements. This noninvasive screening test requires just .125 grams of hair.

Hair is more of an excretory tissue than a functional one. During its growth process, hair incorporates trace elements into its structure, serving as a metabolic end product. This means that as proteins are synthesized in the hair follicles, elements become permanently embedded in the hair without further exchange or equilibration.

Toxic elements can be significantly more concentrated in hair—up to 200 to 300 times—compared to blood or urine. Hence, why hair is our preferred tissue for detecting exposure to elements such as antimony, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, lead, and mercury.

24 hours before you plan on taking the sample, wash your hair with a clean and simple shampoo to avoid possible environmental contamination. The hair should be free of all gels, oils and hair products prior to sample collection.

It is recommended to have someone else cut your hair sample for you. Most samples are taken from the nape of the neck or from the base of the skull (somewhere that top hair can overlay the cut hair). You'll want to collect and send only the closest 1/2 inches of hair to the scalp.

The lab requires .125 grams of hair, but it is recommended you provide about .5 grams. Our recommendation: take a table spoon and fill it with hair.

Hair Condition Considerations:
Chemically Treated Hair: It's important to note that hair that has been permed, dyed, bleached, or chemically treated may not be suitable for analysis. These chemical treatments can alter the natural composition of the hair and potentially lead to contamination or skewed results.

Untreated Hair: Ideally, the hair sample should be free from chemical treatments to ensure the most accurate analysis. This includes avoiding any hair products that might leave residues or alter the hair's natural elemental composition.

+ Nutritional Elements: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Chromium, Selenium, Phosphorus

+ Toxic Elements: Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium, Lead, Aluminum

+ Additional Elements: Cobalt, Molybdenum, Lithium, Nickel

+ Significant Mineral Ratios: Calcium/Magnesium, Calcium/Potassium, Sodium/Magnesium, Sodium/Potassium, Zinc/Copper, Calcium/Phosphorous

The Hair Elements Test can be an invaluable tool for a wide range of patients, particularly those experiencing specific health issues or with certain lifestyle factors. Here's a more detailed look at which patients may benefit most from this test and why:

1. Alopecia (Hair Loss): This test can help identify mineral imbalances or toxic element exposures that may contribute to hair loss.

2. Depression: Certain mineral deficiencies or toxic element exposures have been linked to mood disorders, including depression.

3. Toxic Element Exposure: For individuals who may have been exposed to toxic elements, either through their environment or occupation, this test can assess the levels of these elements in their body.

4. Excessive Fish Consumption: High fish consumption can increase the risk of mercury exposure. The test can monitor mercury levels and other heavy metals often found in fish.

5. Fatigue: Chronic fatigue can sometimes be linked to imbalances in essential minerals or exposure to toxic elements.

6. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Certain mineral imbalances, such as high sodium or low potassium, can contribute to hypertension.

7. Malabsorption: Patients with digestive issues leading to malabsorption of nutrients can benefit from this test to assess their levels of essential minerals.

8. Parkinson's-like Symptoms: Exposure to certain heavy metals has been associated with neurological symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.

9. Impaired Glucose Tolerance: Mineral imbalances can affect glucose metabolism, and this test can help identify such imbalances.

10. Vision Problems: Some elements, when imbalanced, can contribute to deteriorating vision or other eye health issues.

11. Sexual Impotence: Toxic elements or mineral deficiencies can impact sexual health, including impotence.

12. Decreased Testosterone Production: Certain minerals are essential for hormone production, including testosterone. Imbalances can lead to decreased production.