Following a recommendation from a friend, we decided to explore a hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) for Harvey. At the time we were looking for any information that might help us better understand what was happening in his body.
The test was carried out through Analytical Research Labs in America and was arranged for us by Jaine Kirtley of Bay Naturopath in Tauranga. The process itself was simple. A small sample of hair was cut from the back of Harvey's head and posted to the laboratory in the United States. It took approximately two weeks for the results to be returned. When the report arrived, it revealed several clear and significant imbalances.
| Low Levels | High Levels |
|---|---|
| Magnesium | Sodium |
| Calcium | Potassium |
| Iron | Manganese |
| Chromium | Aluminum |
The most striking findings were the very low levels of magnesium and calcium. Alongside these, copper and chromium were also low. In contrast, sodium and potassium were extremely high, creating what the report described as a strong fast-oxidizer pattern. Manganese was elevated and aluminum was above the upper limit.
These results stood out to us for several reasons. The combination of very low magnesium and calcium with extremely high sodium and potassium was particularly notable. The report commented that these kinds of electrolyte imbalances can play a role in nervous system excitability and seizure activity. It also noted signs of significant adrenal stress and possible issues with how Harvey's body was handling sugars and carbohydrates.
As part of the HTMA process, Jaine provided a list of suggested supplements aimed at addressing the imbalances shown in the results. After receiving the report, we spent time researching the recommendations, looking into the different forms of the minerals, and deciding which products we felt most comfortable using. We made some changes to the original suggestions based on our own further investigation.
Looking back, this test marked an important point in our journey. It was the first time we had some indication showing significant mineral imbalances, and it gave us a new direction to explore in supporting Harvey. We were aware that HTMA has received a fair amount of criticism regarding its accuracy as a measure of what is happening in the body. At the same time, we had also heard that it can provide a useful three-month snapshot of mineral patterns in the tissues. With that in mind, we decided to treat the results as one piece of information among others, rather than a definitive diagnosis.
Around the same time, we also arranged blood tests for Harvey. While the hair tissue mineral analysis looks at mineral patterns over a longer period (roughly three months), blood tests provide a real-time snapshot of what is circulating in the bloodstream at that moment.