Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is increasingly used as a tool to support health prevention, lifestyle analysis, and supplementation monitoring. Before deciding to perform the test, it is important to understand when HTMA makes sense, when it does not, and what to look for when choosing an analysis..
1. When does Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) make sense?
HTMA works best as a tool for:
- assessing long-term mineral balance (approximately 8–12 weeks),
- detecting chronic deficiencies or excesses,
- monitoring lifestyle, diet, and supplementation,
- assessing exposure to heavy metals,
- analyzing metabolic patterns and the body’s response to stress.
It is not a “here and now” test like a complete blood count or blood electrolytes.
2. HTMA a badania krwi – kluczowe różnice
Blood tests reflect the current state of the body, as blood is subject to strict regulatory mechanisms that maintain internal balance (homeostasis).
HTMA reveals long-term trends that are often not visible in blood tests, even though the body may already be compensating for deficiencies. These tests are not competitive, but complementary.
3. Why does the ICP-OES method matter?
The reliability of HTMA largely depends on:
- the analytical method used,
- instrument calibration,
- sample preparation procedures.
ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry) is a standard method used in environmental toxicology and elemental analysis, providing high repeatability and sensitivity of measurements.
4. How should HTMA results be interpreted?
The most common mistake is interpreting single values “out of context”.
In HTMA, the key factors are:
- mineral ratios (e.g. Ca/Mg, Na/K, Zn/Cu),
- trends rather than single results,
- linking results with symptoms and lifestyle.
HTMA is not intended to diagnose diseases, but to better understand how the body functions.
5. How to safely monitor changes?
In practice, HTMA is performed:
- every 3–6 months, to assess whether changes in diet, supplementation, or lifestyle are producing the desired effects.
Repeatability is one of the greatest strengths of this test.
Summary
A properly performed Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis:
- does not replace a physician or clinical diagnostics,
- is a valuable preventive and functional tool,
- helps support more informed decisions regarding health and supplementation.
Does HTMA make sense if blood tests are normal?
How often should Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) be repeated?
What mistakes should be avoided when interpreting HTMA results?
References and scientific sources
- World Health Organization (WHO), Hair as a biomarker of exposure to trace elements WHO Press
- Barbosa et al. Hair as a biomarker of exposure to metals. Environmental Health Perspectives
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) The use of hair in biomonitoring. IAEA Publications
- Gibson RS. Principles of Nutritional Assessment. Oxford University Press
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Scientific opinions on trace elements and minerals
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a functional and observational tool. It does not replace medical diagnostics or consultation with a physician.
