Hair mineral analysis is the analysis of hair tissue to determine its chemical content. On average, human hair grows at a rate of about 1cm per month; therefore the analysis of a 3- 4cm cut sample represents what that growing hair has absorbed over the last 3-4 month period unaffected by short term fluctuations in the nutrient intake of the subject. The growing hair follicle is richly supplied with blood vessels, and the blood that bathes the follicle is the transport medium for both essential and potentially toxic elements. As these elements reach hair follicles, they are then incorporated into the growing hair protein. Unlike other body tissues, hair is a metabolic end product that incorporates elements into its structure while growing. As hair approaches the skin surface, it undergoes a hardening process known as keratinisation, and the elements accumulated during its formation are sealed into the protein structure of the hair. Because of the exposure of hair follicles to the blood supply during growth, element concentrations of the hair reflect concentrations in other body tissues.

Elemental hair analysis test gives a picture of the:

1. Elemental deficiencies and imbalances. 
2. It can be used to determine whether your metabolism is fast/mixed/slow. 
3. Toxic heavy metal levels and the underlying reason 
4. Function of adrenal glands
5. Function of thyroid glands
6. Level of antioxidant protection

Do not shampoo and wash your hair before sample collection for hair. Since hair treatments, such as colorants and highlights, are mineral-based, patients are advised to wait for twelve weeks before submitting hair samples for analysis if one of these treatments has been used.

After booking our hair mineral analysis test from the official website of Functional Medicine Diagnostics – FMD, the kit is sent to your registered address. Fill the information sheet in the kit and collect samples preferably from the centre of your scalp. Cut 40 to 50 hair strands from the base of your scalp and do not pluck the hair out of the root. Put the sample and the form in a pouch and ship the kit to the address mentioned in the instructions.

Through the elemental hair analysis test we obtain 3 group of results

1. Level of individual elements 
2. Information on heavy metal loading
3. Ratio of elements

Before hair testing, samples are repeatedly washed in the Functional Medicine Diagnostic laboratory with a deionized detergent and dried before weighing. Analysis is performed via inductively coupled plasma with mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) utilizing collision/reaction cell methods coupled with ion-molecule chemistry, a reliable new method for interference reduction. Quality control of the analysis is carried out by repeat re-analysis of pooled hair extracts.

Several health problems are associated with chronic and acute heavy metal exposure and imbalance in essential and trace elements, including neurological problems, developmental delays, cancer, liver and kidney problems, learning disabilities, lower IQs, heart disease, diabetes, birth defects, and more. If you are someone suffering from unexplained chronic fatigue, digestive issues, aching joints, impaired blood sugar retention; or mental disorders like depression, impaired memory, getting a hair mineral and toxin analysis test done will give you a more root cause related solution. 

• Chromium (Cr) 
• Potassium (K) 
• Phosphorus (P) 
• Germanium (Ge) 
• Magnesium (Mg) 
• Iodine (I)
• Cobalt (Co) 
• Silicon (Si) 
• Lithium (Li) 
• Manganese (Mn) 
• Copper (Cu) 
• Molybdenum (Mo) 
• Selenium (Se) 
• Sulfur (S)
• Sodium (Na) 
• Silver (Ag) 
• Vanadium (V) 
• Calcium (Ca) 
• Iron (Fe)