Hair analysis

[mom2ck]

I have another post going but this one is more about the testing than anything. The chiro explained everything to me and gave me the lab results. BTW the sample was sent to ARL or Analytical research labs in phoenix. He was low on all minerals except manganese in his last hair sample. Calcium was near the amount considered good by this lab. But, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, chromium, selenium, and phosphorus show low. As far as toxic metals, aluminum was high with only trace amounts of mercury, arsenic and lead.

So, for anyone that has had success with hair samples, can you comment on this? I have heard they are unreliable so not sure it really tells me anything other than he is mineral deficient. The four-low of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium says it is often associated with chronic fatigue and allergies. He also shows a low sodium/potassium ratio.

He is due to have another follow up test but I haven't scheduled it because of the expense and he has been off the supplements for a while.

[Chemar]

we had other testing done and it was amazing how accurate the hair analysis was when compared with the blood/urine/spit/stool tests

[peglem]

I'll tell you up front that I'm a bit skeptical about hair analysis...However, (and this is one of the reasons I'm skeptical) There was a study done testing mercury in hair samples: autism vs nt. The researchers were puzzled to find that hair mercury was lower in the autistic group vs controls. But, on follow up studies (used chelation challenge) the body mercury burden in autistic subjects was highly elevated compared to controls. They surmised that the low hair samples really indicated the inability of the autistic person to excrete mercury, causing build up in body cells. So, as far as mercury levels in the hair, I'd be much happier if it was high...low can mean either low exposure or poor excretion.

[Pudgeo]

I second what Peglam said..she's right..

http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/

This has the counting rules for hair tests and other info...

I hope it helps..Sarah

[mom2ck]

I looked at the counting rules but it doesn't apply to the lab that completed our tests. However, it was interesting to read. As far as the booklet that came with our test, it pretty much says my son is messed up. It says the hair tissue analysis indicates impaired sugar and carbohydrate tolerance, protein synthesis, digestion, immune system, and kidney and liver. It also says there is a decreased cell permeability and chronic adrenal problems. A lot of it points to impaired adrenal glands. The dr. told us that many times minerals won't show up on a test, but will on a later retest because of flushing them out of the system. However, again I am skeptical. Is this just a way to run more test and get more $. The one thing I can say is this chiro actually seems like she cares. She has 4 or 5 kids of her own and has had issues with the youngest so seemed like she understood where I was coming from. She was also very patient and didn't rush us out.

[Pudgeo]

After screwing around with Kaiser for a year(and my son was no better) Private Dr ran LOTS of tests on him..he was low in amino acids, minerals, had immune system dysfunction(over active) Was also low in vitamins...Also showed high levels of arsenic/lead/mercury/aluminum....you think Kaiser ever checked any of that? nope....

So we are finally seeing a small improvement in my son....he is on supplements of everything he was low in and we are chelating him...Good Luck! SaraH

A DAN! Dr is probably best to help..unless your Dr has bio-medical training...