Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA): What It Is and Who Can Benefit
At Fig & Field Wellness, I’m passionate about uncovering the root causes of health imbalances, especially when traditional tests leave questions unanswered. One tool I always use with clients is the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA). Below, you’ll find a clear overview of what HTMA is, why it matters, and who it may help the most.
What Is HTMA?
A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis is a non-invasive lab test that measures the mineral content and toxic metal levels in a small sample of your hair. The beauty of this test is that hair accumulates minerals and metals over time, providing a longer-term snapshot of your body’s biochemical terrain, unlike blood tests, which reflect only that moment in time. Blood likes to maintain homeostasis - a specific pH, nutrient levels, etc. In the context of minerals, this means the blood wants to maintain a very specific level of minerals, so it may pull minerals out of the tissues in order to do so, one of these tissues being the hair. This is why HTMA testing is so amazing. It can detect deficiencies in minerals well before they show in blood tests.
Essentially, HTMA gives us a biochemical blueprint. It reveals imbalances in key minerals (like calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium) and exposure to heavy metals (such as lead, mercury, cadmium) and assesses the ratios between these elements, which can indicate how your metabolism, stress-response systems, and detox pathways are functioning.
Why It Matters
Minerals act as the “spark plugs” of life, supporting energy production, nerve function, hormone synthesis, immune resilience, blood pressure and cardiovascular health, digestion, and detoxification, to name only a few! When these minerals are out of balance, or when toxic metals accumulate, they can trigger symptoms like fatigue, mood instability, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and more.
HTMA can help:
Identify mineral deficiencies or imbalances that standard tests may miss
Detect heavy-metal exposure or bio-accumulation that may contribute to stress-related or chronic conditions.
Assess your metabolic and stress profile, giving clues about how your body handles adrenal load, oxidation rate, and energy production.
In short: if your body feels “off,” yet routine bloodwork appears normal, HTMA can shine a light on what’s happening behind the scenes.
HTMA isn’t just for certain diagnoses—it can be a powerful piece of the puzzle for many people who feel stuck in their wellness journey.
How I Use HTMA at Fig & Field Wellness
When you choose to incorporate HTMA as part of our work together:
You take a hair sample in the comfort of your own home, and mail it to the lab with the required requisition form.
The sample is analyzed for both nutrient minerals and toxic metals, plus key mineral ratios.
I interpret your report alongside your health history, symptoms, diet, and lifestyle to craft a customized plan focused on your unique biochemistry.
We implement targeted support, nutritional tweaks, lifestyle shifts, detox-support strategies, then retest as needed to track progress and refine the protocol.
The Takeaway
HTMA isn’t a magic fix, but it is a powerful investigative tool. It doesn’t replace other diagnostic tests, but it offers a deeper look into how your body has been coping with the load of stress, toxins, and nutrient needs. Therapy becomes less guesswork and more aligned with you.
If you’ve felt like you’re doing all the “right things” yet still aren’t feeling well, HTMA may help open the door to real change.