Hair mineral analysis is often offered as a simple way to check your minerals or look for heavy metals: a snip of hair goes to a laboratory and a detailed report comes back. Here is what the test measures, what research says about its reliability, and the questions to ask first.
What does a hair mineral analysis measure?
A small amount of hair is cut from your head and sent to a laboratory, which measures the minerals and metals in it, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, iron and arsenic. WA Health — Measuring metals in human hair
Naturopaths are among the practitioners who may use hair analysis, after taking a detailed health history. Better Health Channel — Naturopathy
How reliable are the results?
Hair can reflect sources outside the body as well as what is inside it. For most metals, hair levels do not match blood and urine levels well, and the WA Department of Health does not consider hair a good marker of exposure or health. WA Health — Measuring metals in human hair
Results can also shift with things that have nothing to do with your nutrition:
- hair colour, age, sex, the season and how fast your hair grows
- dyeing, bleaching, perms and other chemical treatments
- where and when the sample was taken (hair grows about 1 cm a month)
WA Health — Measuring metals in human hair
Because of this, there are no agreed reference or guideline levels for metals in hair. WA Health — Measuring metals in human hair A 2013 systematic review came to a similar view: laboratory methods differ, so the "normal" values they report differ too. Mikulewicz et al., 2013 — systematic review
Do different laboratories agree?
Not always. In a US study, one healthy volunteer's hair sample was split between six commercial laboratories. For 12 minerals, the highest and lowest results differed more than tenfold. Each laboratory used its own "normal" ranges, so nearly every mineral was called high, normal or low depending on the laboratory, and their diet and supplement advice conflicted too. Seidel et al., 2001 — JAMA
That study is now 25 years old. In a smaller 2013 study, split samples from one healthy volunteer went to the three laboratories then offering the test in Korea. Their measurements broadly agreed, but their reference ranges did not, so each interpreted his health differently, and only one matched his blood results. Namkoong et al., 2013 — Annals of Dermatology
A 2019 review by pathologists of tests sold through complementary medicine, including heavy metal testing, noted that reports often come with detailed interpretations that may recommend unnecessary treatment. Jones et al., 2019 — Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
What might a naturopath use instead or alongside?
When a question about minerals needs a test, blood tests are the usual route. They can check calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D, among others. You need a GP referral, and Medicare covers all or part of the cost of most common blood tests. Healthdirect — Guide to blood testing
Iron studies, for instance, measure your stored iron and how iron is carried in your blood. Your doctor might suggest them if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, are pregnant, or have a condition such as coeliac disease that makes iron harder to absorb. Healthdirect — Iron studies
If you are worried about lead, mercury or another metal, blood and urine are the usual samples because they best reflect what is in your body. WA Health — Measuring metals in human hair
Blood results need context too. A reference range describes what is typical for the population, not necessarily for you. Healthdirect — Guide to blood testing Our post on thyroid tests has more on talking results through with your GP.
Questions to ask before a hair mineral test
- What question is this test meant to answer, and what would the result change?
- Which laboratory does it, and where do its "normal" ranges come from?
- Would a blood or urine test through my GP answer the question better?
- Does it matter that my hair is dyed, bleached or permed?
- If something comes back high or low, will a blood test check it before anything changes?
- What does it cost?
- Will any supplement suggestion be checked against my medicines and shared with my GP?
Our guide to your first naturopathy appointment has more questions about evidence and choices.
When to see your GP or dermatologist
See your GP if:
- you are losing more hair than usual, or it is coming out in clumps. Causes include iron or zinc deficiency and thyroid conditions, among many others; your doctor may arrange blood tests or refer you to a dermatologist. Healthdirect — Alopecia
- you are worried about lead, mercury or another metal, or a hair test result worries you. Your GP can decide whether a blood or urine test is needed. WA Health — Measuring heavy metals in human hair
What can we talk about at Melbourne Wellness?
At an initial naturopathy appointment we can go through your health history, diet and lifestyle, and any test results you already have. If you have had a hair mineral analysis elsewhere, bring the report and we can talk through what it can and cannot tell you. If anything suggests you need a medical assessment, we will say so and encourage you to see your GP.
