Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

HS011
$131.00
$131.00

We are excited to be able to provide you with Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis for your canine! We have partnered with Trace Elements, which is an independent testing laboratory specializing in hair tissue mineral analysis only for industry professionals like us. The results obtained from this type of mineral analysis can provide you with very useful information to help improve the health of your canine.

What does my hair tissue analysis include?

For Dogs 

Multi-element assay (32 Elements) of hair with detailed report (approx. 8 pages) that includes: 

  • Copy of the test results (graphic illustration of levels and ratios) via email.
  • A complete individualized evaluation and detailed discussion of the patient's metabolic type, current mineral levels and ratios, and their impact upon body chemistry provided by the experts at Trace Elements.
  • Additional suggestions and analysis from The Pet Health and Nutrition Center via email.

*This analysis should not be considered diagnostic testing, but instead a tool that can provide additional information.

Here is an example of a Canine Test Result

Here is an example of a Canine Submittal Form

What is Hair Analysis for Dogs

Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA), is an analytical test which measures the mineral content of the hair. This testing comprises both nutritional elements and toxic elements. The sampled hair is prepared in a licensed clinical laboratory through a series of chemical and high temperature digestive procedures. Testing is then performed using highly sophisticated detection equipment and methods to achieve the most accurate and precise results. 

Why Test Hair Instead of Blood?

Hair is ideal tissue for sampling and testing. First, it can be cut easily and painlessly and can be sent to the lab without special handling requirements. Second, clinical results have shown that a properly obtained sample can give an indication of mineral status and toxic metal accumulation following long term or even acute exposure. Hair mineral analysis reveals a unique metabolic world of intracellular activity that can't be seen through most other tests. This provides a blueprint of the biochemistry occurring during the period of hair growth and development.
For example:

  • Thirty to 40 days following an acute exposure, elevated serum levels of lead may be undetectable. This is due to the body removing the lead from the serum as a protective measure and depositing the metal into such tissues as the liver, bones, teeth and hair.
  • Nutrient loss from the body can become so advanced that severe health conditions can develop without any appreciable changes noted in those same nutrient levels in a blood test.
  • Symptoms of elemental deficiency can be present long before low levels can be detected in the serum.
  • Excess sodium is associated with hypertension, but adequate amounts are required for normal health.

Hair is used as one of the tissues of choice by the Environmental Protection Agency in determining toxic metal exposure. A 1980 report from the E.P.A. stated that human hair can be effectively used for biological monitoring of the highest priority toxic metals. This report confirmed the findings of other studies in the U.S. and abroad, which concluded that human hair may be a more appropriate tissue than blood or urine for studying community exposure to some trace elements.

Dog Hair Analysis Test Reliability

Hair tissue mineral analysis is supported by an impressive body of literature in a variety of respected national and international scientific publications. Over the past twenty-five years hair mineral testing has been extensive. Each year in the United States alone, federally licensed clinical laboratories perform over 150,000 hair mineral assays for health care professionals interested in an additional screening aid for a comprehensive patient evaluation. This does not take into consideration the thousands of subjects used in numerous continuing research studies conducted by private and government research agencies.

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis
You have successfully subscribed!