Hair Elements Testing

Hair elements testing is a non-invasive way to assess long-term mineral status and evaluate potential exposure to toxic metals. While we evaluate many minerals through blood testing, not all are reliably measured that way. Hair analysis reveals patterns of mineral accumulation, depletion, and toxic metal burden that may have been building quietly over months or years.

Hair Elements Testing

Hair Elements testing is used to evaluate the body’s long-term exposure to minerals and certain toxic metals. Hair is a living tissue that can reflect biological activities in the body. 

As hair grows, it captures elements circulating in the bloodstream. Hair grows slowly, so a small snippet of hair can reflect several months of mineral and metal exposure. Therefore, hair analysis allows us to identify trends that may not be visible on standard blood tests alone. 

Hair Elements testing measures essential minerals such as magnesium, zinc, calcium, selenium, lithium, and copper. These vital nutrients support neurotransmitter production, energy metabolism, hormonal balance, detoxification, immune resilience, and countless other physiological processes. Imbalances in these minerals can contribute to symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, mood instability, poor stress tolerance, headaches, or cognitive dysfunction. 

As a specific example, elevated copper levels are often correlated with ADHD, specifically inattentive symptoms. Copper plays a role in the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which are important for attention, motivation, and impulse control. 

As another example, low lithium levels are linked to irritability, low mood, and diminished emotional resilience. Lithium is typically ingested through drinking water, and the content of lithium in public drinking water can vary widely from county to county. 

Additionally, the Hair Elements test investigates potential exposure to harmful heavy metals. Certain metals are exceptionally toxic and highly correlated with psychiatric symptoms. These include mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. With chronic exposure, these heavy metals can wreak havoc on normal physiology and impair cellular energy production, promote inflammation, and interfere with neuronal signaling. When identified, these findings are always actionable. 

Environmental exposure to small amounts of heavy metals is more common than many people realize. We may encounter trace amounts of certain metals in our everyday lives. Potential sources of exposure include food, drinking water, air pollution, and common consumer products.

For example, mercury can accumulate in certain fish and seafood. Arsenic is naturally present in the soil and may be found in rice. Lead exposure can occur in older buildings that contain lead-based paint or plumbing. Cadmium can be found in cigarette smoke, fertilizers, and leafy vegetables grown in contaminated soil. 

It’s important to remember that the presence of these metals in the environment does not necessarily equate to toxic accumulation. The body has natural detoxification systems that can eliminate these elements. However, individuals differ in their capacity to clear these toxins. This is influenced by genetics, nutrient availability, general health status, and the dose and exposure frequency of the toxic element(s) in question. 

How It Works

The Hair Elements test will be ordered through DHA Labs. Once your order is placed, DHA Labs will contact you to request payment information. The test costs $120. It is not covered by insurance. 

The test requires about 0.25g of hair. This is about 50-100 strands of hair, or the typical amount of hair that you would lose in a day from natural shedding. 

You do not need to discontinue any vitamins or supplement products to prepare for this test.  You can collect hair from your head or pubic region, but head hair is preferred. 

If you are collecting hair from the head, it is best to enlist the assistance of a friend or family member. You will be asked to focus on the hair towards the back of the skull, and it can be difficult to cut your own hair.