My Bloodwork Was “Normal.” My Hair Told a Different Story. ✂️
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
✂️ When your hair holds more secrets than your lab results...
My bloodwork was “normal.” My hair told a very different story.
About ten years ago, I did something that completely changed the way I looked at my health. I tested my hair. And I was shocked by what I found.
At the time, I thought I was doing a lot of things right. And my bloodwork certainly wasn't raising any major red flags. In fact, my nutrient levels were all coming back within normal ranges. But my Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) told a very different story.
I was deficient in several key minerals, including zinc, chromium, selenium, potassium and iron. But it's not just about whether you have enough of each individual nutrient. Many minerals need to be in the proper balance with one another for your body to function optimally - for example, zinc and copper, calcium and magnesium, and sodium and potassium.
Of the six major mineral ratios measured on my test, I was only balanced in one.
That was a huge eye-opener for me because I realized that simply having a nutrient level fall within a "normal" range doesn't necessarily tell you the whole story. The balance between minerals matters, too.
And then there were the heavy metals.
My test showed aluminum toxicity and a small amount of mercury.
It also gave me insight into patterns related to stress, blood sugar regulation, metabolism and protein synthesis that helped me understand why I wasn't feeling my best.
That test was a game changer for me.
It made me realize that "normal" bloodwork doesn't necessarily mean everything is optimal.
So why look at hair?
Blood and hair give you different types of information. Standard bloodwork can be incredibly valuable, but it primarily provides a snapshot of what's happening in your body at a particular point in time.
HTMA looks at mineral patterns in hair over a period of time, which can provide another piece of the puzzle when you're trying to understand what's happening beneath the surface.
I've also seen this with clients.
Some have had bloodwork that didn't show elevated heavy metals, yet their HTMA showed concerning patterns. Others have been told they were iron deficient based on blood markers, while their hair showed a very different mineral picture.
That's why I don't believe in looking at one test in isolation.
If you don't feel like yourself but your labs keep coming back "normal," sometimes the answer is to dig deeper, not simply accept that everything is fine.
HTMA measures 21 minerals and elements and looks at mineral patterns, ratios, stress patterns and potential toxic element exposure. You'll also receive a 30+ page personalized report breaking down results, and includes reecommended supplements and diet/lifestyle tweaks based on your unique results.
For me, getting this information allowed me to fine-tune my diet, eliminate potential sources of metal exposure and make targeted changes to support my body.
And I feel better now in my forties that I did in my twenties.
If you've ever felt like something is off despite "normal" labs, HTMA may be worth exploring.
A few details about the test:
✂️ HTMA: $200
💳 HSA funds can be used to purchase the test.
💇♀️ What does the hair sample involve?
Hair is typically taken from the nape of the neck, and you'll want approximately 1½ inches of fresh hair growth. Your test kit comes with a hair scale so you'll know when you've collected enough. And don't freak out, you really don't need much hair!
If you're bald or don't have enough hair on your head, other body hair can be used, including pubic or arm hair.
One important thing to know: dyed or bleached hair can affect the results, so it's best to wait approximately 6 weeks after coloring or bleaching your hair before collecting and submitting your sample.
🥗 Optional diet recommendations: +$40
If you'd like personalized diet recommendations based on your unique hair profile, you can add this option for an additional $40. These recommendations are provided by the lab based on your individual results.
Comments