The Metals Hair Test is a valuable and inexpensive screen for physiological excess, deficiency, or maldistribution of elements. It provides important information that can assist in the early diagnosis of disorders associated with aberrations in essential and toxic element metabolism.
The Metals Hair Test by Great Plains Lab analyses the heavy metals toxicity caused by increasing levels of pollution and the use of chemicals in industry. Hair is a metabolic end product that incorporates trace elements into its structure during its growing process. This means that as proteins are synthesized in the hair follicles, elements are incorporated permanently into the hair without further exchange or equilibration.
A physician may consider the Metals Hair test to check an individual's current exposure to toxic metals. Extensive scientific research established that scalp hair element levels are related to human systemic levels.
The information provided by the test, in conjunction with symptoms and other laboratory values, can support an early diagnosis of physiological disorders associated with aberrations in essential and toxic element metabolism.
Great Plains Laboratory states: "Toxic elements may be 200-300 times more highly concentrated in hair than in blood or urine. Thus, hair is the tissue of choice for detecting recent exposure to elements such as arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, antimony, lead, and mercury."
High levels of toxic metals can be deposited in body tissues and the brain. This may cause significant developmental and neurological damage. Notably, the CDC acknowledges the value of hair mercury levels as a maternal and infant marker for exposure to neurotoxic methylmercury from fish.
The Metals Hair test is useful for patients who experience Alopecia, Depression, Toxic Element Exposure, Excessive Fish Consumption, Fatigue, Hypertension, Malabsorption, Parkinsons-like Symptoms, Impaired Glucose Tolerance, Vision Problems, Sexual Impotence, or Decreased Testosterone Production.
The Metals Hair Test is an affordable screen for physiological excess, deficiency, or maldistribution of 39 elements. Toxic metals include aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, and mercury, among others. Other essential elements analyzed include calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and others.
It should be considered that hair is vulnerable to external elemental contamination by certain shampoos, dyes, bleaches, and straightening treatments. That's why the first step in interpreting a hair element report is to rule out sources of external contamination.
The Metals Hair Test requires a hair sample. The hair could be from the head or pubic. Approximately one tablespoon of hair is the absolute minimum required for the test. No special diet is required, and patients do not need to discontinue medications or dietary supplements unless instructed by their physician.
The Metals Hair Test is a valuable and inexpensive screen for physiological excess, deficiency, or maldistribution of elements. It provides important information that can assist in the early diagnosis of disorders associated with aberrations in essential and toxic element metabolism.
