Here is an example of a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

Here are some charts of my hair tissue mineral analysis completed in August of 2007:

I am probably in the best health I have been in for probably 20 years, and this is generally reflected in the results which are pretty damn good overall. But all is not well.

What my mineral profile indicates is my metabolism is poor, possibly due to impaired adrenal function most likely related to chronic stress over many years (This would explain why my body responds so well to magnesium which is quite high due to my taking a supplement). It also explains why, in recent years, I suffer cold feet and am prone to chill blains. This was most interesting because I had to undergo treatment about 15 years ago for a case of adrenal insufficiency caused by chronic physical and emotional stress, including doing punishing multi sports events and marathons. This condition caused numerous unpleasant symptoms, including excessively low blood pressure, insomnia and the inability to get heart rate above 110 beats per minute. It is only recently that I feel I have got this problem properly sorted out (This report indicates there is still more to be achieved). The profile is also indicative of insomnia which is now my principal health concern. It is most interesting that these problems could be detected from rendering down a hair sample - amazing!

What is not good is the mercury in my system. The less there is the better. Among other things, mercury interferes with the metabolic functions of several trace minerals. Upon careful analysis I have decided that the most likely source of my mercury contamination is eating canned tuna and not other possibilities like amalgam fillings. While amalgum fillings may be a factor, the ones I have are in good condition and I have decided to take a progressive approach, eliminating one possible source of contamination, beginning with the easiest and seeing what happens. If signs of contamination are still there on the next hair test, then I will move onto dealing with amalgum as the possible contaminant. If I did both at once, I would not know which was the source and might end up unnecessarily permanently eliminating tuna from my diet.

The additional elements are pretty much spot on, although my levels of rubidium are high. At this time, the metabolic effects of this trace mineral are unknown. Sources of rubidium includes cereal and corn and foods grown in acidic soils. There might be a case for my eating less grains for a period and seeing what happens with future tests.
My significant ratios are pretty much spot on but you can see there will be some metabolic benefits from tinkering a little with my calcium, potassium and magnesium ratios. These may be the cause of my insomnia, variable blood pressure and aching muscles. Health is not just a case of how much nutrient one has in one's body; the ratios between minerals may be equally, if not more important.

My toxic ratios is interesting: It shows how even small amounts of a heavy metal contaminant like mercury can affect several key minerals (iron, selenium, zinc and sulphur). These trace minerals neutralise mercury; but are consequently rendered unavailable for other functions within the body. This is not at all healthy, so this mercury needs to be eliminated asap while eliminating the suspected source of contamination (tuna).

I am making some modifications to my diet and am taking a small number of supplements to try to get my adrenals revving once again, to balance my minerals and to chelate out the harmful mercury in my system. About three to five months from now I will repeat the hair tissue mineral analysis to see if my interventions are being effective.

If you would like to have a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, go here for information.