HTMA test frequently asked questions

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a laboratory test that measures the concentrations of selected minerals and elements in a small hair sample. The report shows individual levels and relationships between elements, called mineral ratios. These results are considered alongside your symptoms, health history, diet and lifestyle; they are not a diagnosis on their own.

An HTMA test can show the measured mineral and elemental patterns in your submitted hair sample, including relative levels and ratios. Mineral Mapping uses those patterns to guide a personalised discussion about nutrition, lifestyle and appropriate next steps. It cannot determine the cause of a symptom or confirm a medical condition.

Laboratories can measure minerals and elements in hair, but that does not make every interpretation of those measurements scientifically settled. Hair analysis has recognised uses in some research and exposure settings, while its use for assessing nutritional status remains debated and has important limitations. We therefore use HTMA as complementary information alongside your history, symptoms, lifestyle and relevant medical testing — never as a stand-alone diagnostic test.

Blood and hair tests provide different information and are not interchangeable. Blood tests measure what is circulating at the time of collection and are commonly used to diagnose or monitor medical conditions. HTMA measures selected elements present in the submitted hair sample as it grew. It does not replace blood work or medical assessment.

HTMA may offer an additional perspective on mineral patterns, nutrition and lifestyle, but it cannot identify every cause of fatigue or rule out a medical problem. Normal blood results do not make ongoing symptoms unimportant. Persistent, severe or unexplained fatigue should be assessed by a doctor; Mineral Mapping is complementary support, not a replacement for medical investigation.

No — HTMA cannot diagnose a specific mineral or nutrient deficiency on its own. A hair result is not the same as the amount stored throughout your body or available in your blood and tissues. Your report can provide context for a nutrition discussion, but suspected deficiencies should be assessed with your doctor and appropriate clinical testing.

An HTMA laboratory panel may include selected potentially toxic elements, but the exact elements depend on the laboratory panel used and are confirmed as part of your package. A hair result cannot by itself diagnose heavy-metal poisoning or prove the source of an exposure. If you suspect a harmful exposure, contact a doctor or relevant poison service rather than relying on HTMA.

No. HTMA is not used by this service to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. It is an educational and nutritional assessment tool used as one part of a broader review. If you have symptoms, abnormal laboratory results or a diagnosed condition, continue working with your licensed healthcare provider.

It is designed for women who want a more personalised understanding of their nutrition and mineral patterns. This may include women navigating persistent tiredness, feeling depleted or burnt out, brain fog, hair changes, PMS, heavy periods, postpartum recovery or uncertainty about supplements. These experiences can have many causes, and HTMA does not diagnose or explain them on its own.

Yes, you may still use the service, but HTMA does not diagnose iron deficiency, thyroid disease or the cause of heavy menstrual bleeding. Blood testing and medical evaluation remain important. Please seek medical advice for significant blood loss, severe or worsening fatigue, or suspected anaemia, and tell Valerie about any diagnoses and test results so they can be considered as context.

The test may be completed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but the results and recommendations require additional care because pregnancy and lactation change nutritional needs. Tell Valerie before you begin, and discuss any supplement recommendations with your midwife, doctor or another qualified healthcare professional before acting on them. HTMA does not replace prenatal or postpartum medical care.

Yes, and preconception is one of the more useful times to do it. Pregnancy and breastfeeding increase demand on your nutritional stores, and understanding your mineral patterns beforehand gives more time to work on nutrition and daily habits. HTMA does not assess fertility, diagnose any condition, or replace preconception care from your doctor or midwife — it sits alongside it.

You may be able to, but tell Valerie about your conditions, medicines and current supplements before recommendations are made. HTMA is not a substitute for medical care, and you should not stop or change prescribed treatment because of a hair test. Proposed supplement changes may also need to be checked with your doctor or pharmacist.

Possibly. Colouring, bleaching, highlighting, perming and other chemical treatments can affect a hair sample, so you should follow the testing laboratory's current instructions. Tell Valerie about any treatments before collecting your sample; if necessary, she can confirm when and where you should sample.

Follow the written laboratory instructions supplied with your package. They explain when and how to wash your hair, which products to avoid and where to take the clippings. Do not rely on generic online instructions, because preparation requirements can vary by laboratory.

Only a small sample is required, usually made up of short clippings taken close to the scalp from several discreet areas. The exact weight, length and collection location must follow the laboratory instructions included with your package so the sample can be accepted.

Do not substitute body hair without checking first. The laboratory may have different instructions for very short hair, limited scalp hair or an alternative collection site. Contact Valerie before ordering or collecting so she can confirm what the laboratory will accept.

No. The hair is clipped with scissors close to the scalp; it is not pulled out by the root. The amount is small and is normally collected from discreet areas, so sampling is comparable to a very small haircut trim.

Your package includes the current laboratory address and shipping instructions. Follow those instructions rather than sending the sample to the practitioner directly, and keep any recommended proof of postage or tracking details.

The full timeline includes delivery of your kit, return shipping to the laboratory, laboratory processing and scheduling your results consultation. Kit delivery and laboratory processing both vary by country and shipping route, so total timing is not fixed — Valerie will give you a realistic estimate for your specific location before you order.

Valerie reviews your laboratory report together with your questionnaire, symptoms, health history, diet and lifestyle. You then meet online for a private interpretation session and receive a personalised written plan covering food, supplements where appropriate, habits and practical next steps.

Laboratory numbers alone do not provide enough context for personalised recommendations. The consultation connects the measured patterns with your history, current diet, symptoms, lifestyle and goals, helps identify realistic priorities and gives you the opportunity to ask questions. Interpretation is therefore a core part of the service, not an optional add-on.

Valerie at WellbyVal personally reviews and interprets your report. Your private consultation takes place online via Google Meet and can be conducted in English or Spanish, so you can join from home in the language you prefer. The interpretation considers the report alongside the information you provided rather than treating individual numbers in isolation.

Yes. Valerie offers online HTMA consultations in both English and Spanish. You can choose your preferred language so your results, personalised recommendations and questions can be discussed clearly.

No. The service is not designed to produce an unnecessarily long supplement protocol. Recommendations may include food, meal structure, hydration, sleep, stress support and other habits, with carefully selected supplements only where appropriate. The aim is a focused plan you can realistically follow, not a cupboard full of products.

You receive individual recommendations informed by your HTMA report, symptoms, diet, health history, goals and anything you already take. These are personalised suggestions, not prescriptions, and HTMA alone cannot determine all of your supplement needs. Check recommendations with your doctor or pharmacist if you take medication, have a diagnosed condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are under active medical treatment.

Yes. A repeat test may be useful after you have followed your plan for an appropriate period, but timing should be agreed with Valerie rather than chosen simply to produce a quick comparison. Retesting can show how the measured hair patterns changed; it does not by itself measure treatment success or diagnose your health.

The HTMA Essential package costs €300, and the HTMA Complete package costs €450. Both include laboratory analysis, a detailed questionnaire, a private results consultation and a personalised PDF plan. The Complete package adds longer follow-up support, a second consultation and a structured 90-day roadmap.

Both packages include the full laboratory HTMA analysis, a detailed health and lifestyle questionnaire, a recorded 60–90 minute interpretation session on Google Meet, a personalised PDF plan and a period for follow-up questions. HTMA Complete also includes 30 days of email support, a second 60-minute session and a structured 90-day roadmap.

Consultations are online and available in English or Spanish, but kit delivery and return-shipping options depend on your location. If you are outside the practitioner's usual shipping area, confirm availability before ordering so the current delivery route, cost and timing can be checked.