If I had to run my first Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) again, I’d treat it as a broad, long-term mineral and stress-pattern scan rather than a definitive diagnosis. Clean samples, good lab protocols, and realistic expectations are the way to go. It’s important to use an HTMA as a tool to guide mineral balance and lifestyle adjustments instead of a magic bullet.
Starting with Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) can be exciting… and overwhelming. You run your first test, get the results back, and think, “Okay… now what?”
When I look back at my early days using HTMA, there are a few key things I wish someone had told me. These would have saved me time, boosted my confidence, and helped me support my clients more effectively from the start.
Here are five things I wish I knew before running my first HTMA.
- The Numbers Don’t Speak for Themselves
I assumed HTMA would be like other labs – if something is low, supplement it. If it’s high, reduce it.
But that’s not how HTMA works. Mineral levels in hair are about adaptation, not just deficiency or excess. The body may be storing, dumping, or retaining minerals in the tissues as a stress response.
HTMA interpretation is about patterns, ratios, and context. The numbers only make sense when you look at them as part of the bigger picture.
- You Have to Look at the Person, Not Just the Pattern
I used to get excited when a pattern jumped out—Four Lows, Slow Oxidizer, Copper Imbalance. But I didn’t always ask, “Does this pattern match the client sitting in front of me?”
Now I know HTMA is most powerful when paired with a good intake form, symptom questionnaire, and food and mood journal. Data is only helpful when it reflects real-life experience.
- Start with the Nervous System, Not the Minerals
In the beginning, I wanted to fix all the mineral levels. But I quickly learned that if someone is in a chronic fight-or-flight state, their body won’t respond well to protocols.
Supporting the nervous system – gently, consistently, and with simplicity – should always come first. That might mean starting with just one custom blend, more sleep, and blood sugar support.
- More Isn’t Better When It Comes to Supplements
I used to overcomplicate my protocols. A little of this for sodium, a little of that for magnesium, and let’s not forget the glandulars, adaptogens, binders, and liver support…
It was too much.
Clients got overwhelmed. Compliance dropped. And honestly, it wasn’t necessary.
Now I focus on simplicity, synergy, and sustainability. Vykon custom blends made a huge difference in streamlining and personalizing what each client really needs.
- The Real Results Happen Over Time
I thought HTMA would give me quick wins. And sometimes it does. But more often, it gives you a roadmap for rebuilding the foundation.
Clients might not feel dramatically different in the first 30 days, but after 90? Huge shifts start happening. Sleep improves. Energy stabilizes. Anxiety drops. Hormones balance.
The key is setting realistic expectations and helping your clients understand this is a long game with real, lasting change.
Final Thoughts
HTMA is one of the most powerful tools you can have in your practice… but only when you use it with patience, nuance, and perspective.
If you’re feeling uncertain about how to interpret patterns or create protocols, you’re not alone. It’s normal. And it’s exactly why I created Instant HTMA Professional – to help practitioners build confidence using this test the right way, from the start.
If you’re ready to truly understand what to DO with HTMA results, I can help!
Click here to watch my free on-demand training, where I walk you through:
– My proven 7-step system for interpreting and using HTMA
– How to use the most affordable, non-invasive lab as a foundational starting point
– And ultimately, how to use HTMA to attract and retain clients and grow your practice in LESS THAN ONE MONTH!
FAQs:
Not always. HTMA doesn’t show a simple deficiency. Low levels might mean your body is adapting, dumping, or holding on to minerals differently. You need to consider the bigger picture.
Yes. It helps to pair HTMA with a questionnaire, diet and mood journal, and symptom review. This way, the mineral patterns match real-life experiences, and you avoid interpreting numbers as standalone truths.
Not always. If you’re stuck in “fight-or-flight” or high stress, your body may not handle mineral protocols well. It’s better to calm the nervous system first with sleep, balanced blood sugar, and stress support.
No. HTMA gives a long-term view of mineral and heavy metal trends in the hair tissue, while blood or urine tests reflect short-term or immediate status. Together, they give different kinds of insight.
Use clean, dry hair, free from dyes. Scalp hair (ideally 3-4 cm closest to the root) provides the most accurate reading.
