Everything you need to know about HTMA testing
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a screening test that measures the mineral content of your hair. Because minerals are deposited in the hair as it grows, HTMA provides a biological record of your body's nutritional and toxic element exposure over a period of about 3 months.
The test analyzes levels of 35 minerals including essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, as well as toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. HTMA has been used by healthcare practitioners worldwide for over 40 years as a tool for understanding mineral imbalances.
Blood tests and HTMA provide different types of information:
Many practitioners use both tests together for a complete picture. HTMA doesn't replace blood tests but provides complementary information.
Laboratory methods can measure elements in hair, but measurement quality does not establish a diagnosis. Trace Elements describes its analytical and quality procedures on its website. For interpretation limits, read the ATSDR hair-analysis discussion.
HTMA can be valuable for anyone wanting to understand their mineral status, but may be particularly useful for those experiencing:
HTMA is also popular among health-conscious individuals for periodic wellness screening.
HTMA Hair Test offers convenient at-home HTMA testing for eligible US customers. Simply order online at our pricing page and you'll receive detailed collection instructions and your printable HTMA submission form by email — no physical kit is mailed to you.
No doctor's referral or clinic visit is required. You'll collect your hair sample at home and mail it directly to our certified partner lab in the US.
Samples are analyzed by Trace Elements, Inc. in Addison, Texas using ICP-Mass Spectrometry. The laboratory publishes its quality-control procedures and CLIA laboratory license number 45-D0481787.
By partnering with specialized labs, we ensure you receive the most accurate results possible, with proper quality controls and decades of research-backed reference ranges.
We accept US orders except from residents of New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island. No physical kit is mailed. Collection instructions and the submission form are emailed after checkout; you supply mailing materials and pay sample postage.
The beauty of our service is that you collect your sample at home in minutes, then mail it to our certified US lab using USPS. No clinic visit needed.
The reliability of an HTMA test depends on the laboratory performing the analysis. Look for these quality indicators:
HTMA Hair Test partners with labs meeting all these criteria, ensuring you receive accurate, actionable results.
HTMA Hair Test offers three packages to fit different needs and budgets:
All packages include emailed instructions and your printable HTMA submission form. You mail your sample to the lab at your own cost (typically a few dollars via USPS tracked packet). No hidden fees.
HTMA testing is generally not covered by state health insurance plans (like OHIP, MSP, or Alberta Health) as it's considered a wellness screening test rather than a diagnostic medical test.
However, some private health insurance plans or Health Spending Accounts (HSAs) may cover HTMA testing, especially if ordered through a naturopathic doctor or functional medicine practitioner. We recommend checking with your insurance provider or HSA administrator.
We provide itemized receipts that you can submit for potential reimbursement. For a full breakdown of state plans, extended benefits, and HSAs, see our HTMA insurance & HSA coverage guide.
In the US, hair mineral analysis typically ranges from $100-$500+ depending on the provider and level of interpretation included. Basic lab-only results start around $100-150, while comprehensive packages with practitioner interpretation can cost $300-500 or more.
HTMA Hair Test offers competitive pricing starting at $109 USD — making professional-grade HTMA testing accessible to all Americans. Instructions and your submission form are emailed after ordering.
Medical expenses in the US may be eligible for the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) if they qualify under CRA guidelines. However, wellness screening tests are not always eligible.
If your HTMA test is recommended by a licensed healthcare practitioner as part of a treatment plan, it may qualify. We recommend consulting with a tax professional or reviewing CRA guidelines for eligible medical expenses.
You need about 1–1.5 inches of hair measured from the root, which comes to approximately 1–1.5 tablespoons of clippings in total. Take a little from 3–4 areas near the scalp — ideally the nape of your neck — cutting as close to the scalp as possible, and keep only the section closest to the scalp so you end up with small clippings rather than long strands.
If you have longer hair, you can cut from multiple small areas at the back of your head (nape of neck) so the collection isn't noticeable.
The best location is the nape of your neck (back of head, near the hairline). This area provides the most consistent and representative sample because:
If you don't have enough hair at the nape, you can use hair from other areas of the scalp. We can also test pubic hair if head hair isn't available.
No. Hair from a brush cannot be used because:
Fresh-cut hair from the scalp is required for accurate results.
If hair is dyed/bleached, wait 6–8 weeks or at least 7 washes. Follow the collection instructions emailed after checkout and contact us before collecting if you have questions about other treatments.
If head hair isn't available or is too short, we can test pubic hair as an alternative. Pubic hair provides similar information, though the reference ranges may differ slightly.
Please indicate on your form that you're submitting pubic hair so the lab can apply appropriate reference ranges.
Results are typically sent to us 10–14 days after the lab receives your sample, and we will contact you once they arrive. This is an estimate, not a guaranteed delivery date. Custom interpretation and video services follow the lab report.
Your report includes:
View a sample report to see exactly what you'll receive.
Your report will show your levels compared to optimal reference ranges, making it easy to see which minerals are low, high, or within range.
For the Essential package, we recommend sharing your results with a qualified healthcare practitioner for interpretation. The Comprehensive and Premium packages include detailed interpretation to help you understand what your results mean.
Remember that HTMA results are for informational purposes - always consult with a healthcare provider before making significant health changes.
Our free HTMA guides include a mineral quick reference for reading your levels and ratios.
Absolutely! We encourage you to share your results with your healthcare provider. Your report is delivered as a professional PDF that's easy to share. Many naturopathic doctors, functional medicine practitioners, and integrative physicians use HTMA as part of their assessment process.
We offer three packages to suit different needs:
Only before your collection instructions are sent, and a 10% administration fee always applies — so 90% of what you paid is the most that can be returned.
See our complete Refund Policy for details.
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. All payments are processed securely through our payment provider with industry-standard encryption.
We accept US orders except from residents of New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island. No physical kit is mailed. Collection instructions and the submission form are emailed after checkout; you supply mailing materials and pay sample postage.
After ordering, your instructions and HTMA submission form are sent by email promptly — no waiting for mail. You then collect your sample at home and ship it to our certified partner lab in the US. USPS Tracked Packet is the most affordable option and typically arrives at the lab within a few business days.
See our Shipping Info page for complete details, including the lab address and mailing guidance.
Wrap your hair sample in a small piece of clean printer paper and place it in a plain paper envelope (available at any post office or office supply store). Include your printed HTMA submission form, then mail it to our US lab via USPS Tracked Packet. Return shipping is the customer's responsibility — we recommend getting a tracking number.
HTMA is a screening test that provides information about mineral status, not a diagnostic medical test. Results should be used for educational purposes and to guide conversations with your healthcare provider.
We are not medical providers and cannot diagnose or treat any condition. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical advice.
Discuss supplements and medications with your healthcare provider. Follow your collection instructions and record your current use on the intake form; do not change prescribed treatment based on this website.
Most practitioners recommend retesting every 3-6 months when actively working on mineral balance. This allows enough time for changes to appear in hair tissue. For general wellness monitoring, annual testing is common.