Understanding Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis: A Window Into Your Health
By Dr Emily Wiggins
We believe that the body is always communicating with us. Sometimes it speaks in ways we can see and feel, and other times it leaves subtle clues beneath the surface. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, aka HTMA, is an insightful tool we have for uncovering those some hidden messages.
What is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis?
Hair is more than just a reflection of style and beauty. It is a living record of your body’s mineral balance over time. As hair grows, it stores information about the levels of key minerals and trace elements, as well as the presence of heavy metals. By analyzing a small sample of hair, we can see a detailed picture of your mineral patterns from the past three months.
Why Minerals Matter
Minerals are the spark plugs of life. They support energy production, hormone balance, nerve function, detoxification, and countless other processes.
When minerals are out of balance, the body can begin to experience symptoms that seem unrelated at first glance. Fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, mood changes, and slow recovery from stress can all be signs that something in the mineral system is out of harmony.
For example, when it comes to thyroid function, you can have plenty of thyroid hormone in your system but if you don’t have enough potassium in your system, that thyroid hormone can’t make it into your cells to be utilized and that is one reason many people experience symptoms of hypothyroidism even though their blood work shows normal thyroid hormone levels.
What HTMA Can Reveal
An HTMA test can help us identify patterns such as
Mineral deficiencies or excesses
Imbalances that may be affecting thyroid and adrenal function
Signs of blood sugar regulation issues
Toxic metal accumulation such as mercury, lead, or arsenic
Your body’s stress response profile over time
Because HTMA reflects long-term patterns rather than a single day’s snapshot, it can help us see how your body is adapting to stress and whether it is moving toward balance or away from it.
How the HTMA Process Works
The process is simple and non-invasive. A small sample of hair is collected from the back of your head, close to the scalp, and sent it a specialized lab for analysis.
Once we receive the results, we review them together in detail. Your personalized plan may include targeted nutrition, gentle detoxification support, and lifestyle recommendations to restore mineral balance and help your body function at its best.
A Step Toward Deeper Understanding
Many of our patients find that HTMA offers a missing piece of the health puzzle. It brings clarity to chronic issues and helps guide changes that lead to greater energy, resilience, and well-being.
If you are curious about what your hair can reveal about your inner overall health or particular symptoms you’re dealing with, we would love to guide you through the process. At Terrain Natural Medicine, we use HTMA not just as a test, but as a conversation between you and your body.
