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A hair analysis can help to detect lingering health issues that are otherwise difficult to identify. Alternations in minerals, the presence of heavy metals, and other conditions can be analyzed in great detail with a hair test. A small sample of hair is collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Nutrient imbalances, hormonal issues, and metabolic trends, among other health issues, can all be highlighted if you're seeking greater insight into your health and well-being.

Want to find out more about hair tests and what kind of things you may be able to discover? Click through the gallery to get started.

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Struggling with lingering medical symptoms that are affecting your health and well-being? Unable to identify what may be going on, despite doing a number of blood tests?

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While blood tests reflect the current state of markers, a hair analysis covers a longer period of time, providing an analysis of several months, which can be more insightful when it comes to certain values.

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What if there was a way to get greater insight into your nutrients, metabolic markers, and other measurable values? That’s what a hair mineral test can offer.

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A small sample of hair is taken from patients for analysis. About one to two teaspoons worth of hair is collected. The sample is taken and sent to a lab for analysis.

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Being able to look at a period of time, stretching from three to six months, helps to really identify what kind of trends can be concluded regarding the state of your health.

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A hair mineral insight can provide several insights into nutrient imbalances that you may be experiencing. By identifying the presence or (lack) of essential minerals, medical practitioners can make concrete dietary suggestions.

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Alterations of levels in minerals like calcium, zinc, magnesium, and iron, all of which can gravely affect your overall health if not properly balanced, can be detected.

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This comprehensive profile of mineral levels in your body can provide some insight, in conjunction with other values, into the kind of issues that you could be facing that may be preventing you from achieving a balance of critical minerals.

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The hair mineral test can also detect levels of toxic metals present in the body. This includes things like mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead. All of which can have detrimental effects on your health.

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Metabolic issues, which are directly linked to your body’s capacity to process, store, and utilize minerals, can also be detected to understand your metabolic function.

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Understanding some of these markers could provide your healthcare practitioner with critical information that can shape the kind of health guidelines you should be following.

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Understanding exposure to toxic metals can give insights into your home environment and the kind of issues that you may be facing without knowing.

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The accumulation of toxic heavy metals like those previously listed could lead to the development of neurological and gastrointestinal issues.

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Having this information can help you take the necessary steps to identify and reduce your exposure to harmful toxins.

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The benefit of the hair test is not only the detection but also the preventative element. Even if you are not experiencing symptoms related to toxic exposure, the hair mineral test can detect if you have elevated levels.

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Knowing this information can help to assess what kind of chronic exposure you are facing and identify the necessary steps to reduce your exposure.

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In addition to the issues that toxin accumulation can provoke in the body, there are mineral imbalances that can lead to the development of various symptoms, such as fatigue and even mood imbalances.

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For example, deficiencies in zinc can contribute to a weakened immune system, making it more likely for you to catch common colds or even experience illness for a longer period of time.

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Another example could be elevated calcium levels. These can, too, be indicative of a looming health condition, such as the development of kidney stones.

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Metabolic issues can also be detected through the hair test. Metabolic processes play a major role in how and when minerals are processed and used.

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Metabolic health is essential for adequate energy production, healthy nerve function, and muscle health. If you’re experiencing painful menstruation, fatigue, and muscle cramps, perhaps you have a deficiency in magnesium; common among women.

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Having this kind of information makes the process of identifying supplementation and dietary changes that could provide greater balance to your health more precise.

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If you’re struggling with a chronic condition or place your body under a lot of pressure, a hair mineral test could be a game changer for your health.

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The small hair sample is usually cut from the nape of the neck. After the sample is taken, it’s sent to a lab for analysis. The hair is first cleaned to ensure it’s free from any debris or contaminants.

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Either the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) or Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) methods are used to analyze the samples.

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Once the sample is processed, a report is issued that provides the levels that are being measured against a normal range, as is common in blood analyses.

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Targeted supplementation and modifications to one’s diet and lifestyle, among other measures, can be suggested to correct the imbalances detected, if any.

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In some cases, the test results can indicate a graver issue that may require medical intervention and treatment. Further analyses can hone in on the root of the issue you might be facing.

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There are some issues with hair tests, however. Mostly, they point to issues of contamination in the sample, as the hair is very exposed to all elements, and standardization, as different labs may have different processes. Other kinds of tests should also be used to gain a fuller understanding of a patient’s health.

Sources: (Mayo Clinic) (National Institutes of Health) (PubMed)