Hair Analysis Test

Hair Analysis provides information regarding exposure to potentially toxic heavy metals, especially methylmercury and arsenic, and certain nutrients. This noninvasive screening test requires only .25 grams of hair.

With respect to its contained elements, hair is essentially an excretory tissue rather than a functional tissue. Hair element analysis provides important information which, in conjunction with symptoms and other laboratory values, can assist the physician with an early diagnosis of physiological disorders associated with aberrations in essential and toxic element metabolism.

As protein is synthesized in the hair follicle, elements are incorporated permanently into the hair with no further exchange or equilibration with other tissues. Scalp hair is easy to sample, and because it grows an average of one to two cm per month, it contains a “temporal record” of element metabolism and exposure to toxic elements.

Nutrient elements including magnesium, chromium, zinc, copper and selenium are obligatory co-factors for hundreds of important enzymes and also are essential for the normal functions of vitamins. The levels of these elements in hair are correlated with levels in organs and other tissues.

Toxic elements may be 200 to 300 times more highly concentrated in hair than in blood or urine. Therefore, hair is the tissue of choice for detection of recent exposure to elements such as arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, lead, antimony and mercury. The CDC acknowledges the value of hair mercury levels as a maternal and infant marker for exposure to neurotoxic methylmercury from fish.

Through recent vast improvements in technology, instrumentation and application of scientific protocols, hair element analysis has become a valuable tool for providing dependable and useful data for physicians and their patients. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stated in a recent report that “…if hair samples are properly collected and cleaned, and analyzed by the best analytic methods, using standards and blanks as required, in a clean and reliable laboratory by experienced personnel, the data are reliable.” (U.S.E.P.A. 600/4-79-049)

Hair, however, is vulnerable to external elemental contamination by means of certain shampoos, bleaches, dyes, and curing or straightening treatments. Therefore, the first step in the interpretation of a hair element report is to rule out sources of external contamination.

Hair element analysis is a valuable and inexpensive screen for physiological excess, deficiency or maldistribution of elements. It should not be considered a stand-alone diagnostic test for essential element function, and should be used in conjunction with patient symptoms and other laboratory tests.

Information Courtesy of Doctor’s Data Lab

We recommend a New Patient Visit for the most comprehensive approach to your health or a Pre-Lab Visit for a quick snapshot prior to lab testing and a Post-Lab consult to review your results.

To Book an Appointment Click Here or Call 613-829-7100

If you are experiencing:

• Toxic Element Exposure
• Consume A High Fish Diet (which may increase your exposure to heavy metals)
• Alopecia
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Malabsorption
• Hypertension
• Impaired Glucose Tolerance
• Kidney Function
• Parkinson’s-like Symptoms
• Sexual Impotence or Decreased Testosterone Production
• Vision Problems

 

 

Items Tested

Click any analyte name for additional clinical information, including reference ranges, specimen collection, stability and rejection criteria.

Sample Report Hair English

Items Tested
Aluminum; hair
Antimony; hair
Arsenic; hair
Barium; hair
Beryllium; hair
Bismuth; hair
Boron; hair
Cadmium; hair
Calcium; hair
Chromium; hair
Cobalt; hair
Copper; hair
Germanium; hair
Iodine; hair
Iron; hair
Lead; hair
Lithium; hair
Magnesium; hair
Manganese; hair
Mercury; hair
Molybdenum; hair
Nickel; hair
Phosphorus; hair
Platinum; hair
Potassium; hair
Rubidium; hair
Selenium; hair
Silver; hair
Sodium; hair
Strontium; hair
Sulfur; hair
Thallium; hair
Thorium; hair
Tin; hair
Titanium; hair
Uranium; hair
Vanadium; hair
Zinc; hair
Zirconium; hair

Patient Preparation

Pre-Prep: A 1 inch 0.25 g new hair growth sample of “virgin” hair is required from the nape of your neck, thus it is best to allow time for this length to grow minimally post-perms, colouring or other chemical hair treatments. If this is not possible a pubic hair sample maybe obtained by you in the convenience of your own home.

Step 1: Schedule an appointment for your pre-lab screen consult (Naturopathic consult 30 minutes) and to have your sample taken for you by one of our Revivelife™ Health Professionals.

Step 2: Your results will be available in 2 weeks. A post-lab consult is recommended.