# Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) - Link: https://myorchidwellness.com/hair-tissue-mineral-analysis-htma/ - Published: 2026-03-27T22:51:08-05:00 - Author: Chelsea 👩🏾‍💻 Telehealth available in TX, NY, VA & DC, including **weekends & evening hours** at [telehealth.myorchidwellness.com](https://telehealth.myorchidwellness.com) [Home](https://myorchidwellness.com/)/[Functional Wellness](https://myorchidwellness.com/functional-wellness/)/ HTMA Functional Mineral Testing  •  Carrollton, TX & Telehealth # Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis:⏎ _Your Long-Term Mineral Picture_ Your hair keeps a record of your body’s mineral balance over the past few months. HTMA is a non-invasive lab test that shows mineral levels, key ratios, and possible heavy metal exposure patterns, adding a longer view to your blood work. Non-Invasive No Blood Draw Minerals and Ratios Heavy Metal Screening In Office or Home Kit Telehealth Available [Book Your $250 Consultation](https://myorchidwellness.com/hair-tissue-mineral-analysis-htma/#book) [What It Measures](https://myorchidwellness.com/hair-tissue-mineral-analysis-htma/#measures) About HTMA ## What is hair tissue⏎ _mineral analysis?_ Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a lab test that measures the minerals and metals in a small sample of your hair. As hair grows, minerals from your body are built into it, so about 1.5 inches of hair reflects roughly the last 3 months. A blood test shows what is circulating at one moment, which your body works hard to keep steady. HTMA offers a longer view that may show mineral imbalances, ratios between minerals, and possible heavy metal exposure. Chelsea uses it alongside your symptoms and blood work, not in place of them. At Orchid Wellness, HTMA is ordered through your $250 functional consultation with Chelsea Asante, FNP-C. The test is billed separately. Your sample can be collected in the Carrollton office or with a home kit, and your results are reviewed live, in person or by telehealth across Texas, New York, Virginia, and Washington DC. [Book Your Consultation](https://myorchidwellness.com/hair-tissue-mineral-analysis-htma/#book) Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis A Long-Term View of Your Mineral Balance A small hair sample from the back of the neck, no needles Reflects roughly the last 3 months of mineral patterns Essential minerals, key ratios, and possible heavy metal exposure Collected in the Carrollton office or with a home kit Results reviewed live with Chelsea Asante, FNP-C Starts With Your Functional Consultation $250 Consultation fee. The HTMA is billed separately. HSA, FSA, and [Cherry payment plans](https://myorchidwellness.com/cherry/) accepted. Hair vs. Blood ## Hair and blood⏎ _show different things._ HTMA adds a longer view to your care. It works alongside blood work, not instead of it. Here is what each one does best. | What is assessed | Blood Test | HTMA | | Time window | One moment in time | ✓About the last 3 months of growth | | Collection | Needle and blood draw | ✓A small hair sample, no needles | | Mineral ratios | Not usually reported | ✓Ratios such as calcium to magnesium and sodium to potassium | | Heavy metals | Shows recent or current exposure | ✓May show possible exposure patterns over time | | Iron and vitamin levels | ✓Standard way to check them | –Not reliable for these; blood work is still needed | | Diagnosing deficiency or poisoning | ✓Used for diagnosis | –Does not diagnose; helps guide next steps | What It Measures ## What HTMA⏎ _measures._ HTMA looks at essential minerals your body needs and toxic metals it needs to clear. Here are the main groups on your report and why they matter. 🦴 ### Calcium Supports bones, muscles, nerve signals, and heart rhythm. Hair calcium is read alongside magnesium and other minerals rather than on its own. May reveal patterns like: Calcium to magnesium balanceBone and muscle support 🌿 ### Magnesium Involved in more than 300 enzyme reactions. Low magnesium may contribute to muscle cramps, poor sleep, and feeling on edge. May reveal patterns like: Possible low magnesiumSleep and stress patterns 🧂 ### Sodium and Potassium Help regulate fluid balance, nerve signals, and energy in your cells. Their ratio is often used to look at stress response patterns. May reveal patterns like: Sodium to potassium ratioStress response patterns 🔩 ### Zinc and Copper Zinc and copper balance each other. An imbalance may play a role in immune, skin, mood, and hormone concerns. May reveal patterns like: Zinc to copper ratioImmune and skin support ⚗️ ### Iron Essential for carrying oxygen and making energy. Hair iron does not reflect iron stores, so Chelsea uses blood work to check iron. May reveal patterns like: Read with blood workEnergy concerns 🛡️ ### Selenium and Chromium Selenium supports thyroid function and antioxidant defense. Chromium plays a role in blood sugar balance. May reveal patterns like: Thyroid supportBlood sugar balance ⚠️ ### Mercury and Lead Metals with no helpful role in the body. Higher hair levels may point to exposure worth looking into further. May reveal patterns like: Possible exposureFurther testing needed ☣️ ### Arsenic and Cadmium Environmental metals that can come from food, water, smoke, and air. Ongoing low- level exposure may affect overall health. May reveal patterns like: Possible exposureEnvironmental sources ⚖️ ### Mineral Ratios HTMA reports how minerals compare to each other, such as calcium to magnesium and sodium to potassium. Ratios often say more than single levels. May reveal patterns like: Mineral balancePattern tracking Who It’s For ## When symptoms keep⏎ _going unexplained._ 😴 ### Fatigue and Brain Fog Ongoing tiredness, trouble concentrating, or memory lapses that rest hasn’t fixed. 🌙 ### Mood and Sleep Anxiety, low mood, or poor sleep where mineral balance may be part of the picture. 💇🏾 ### Hair, Skin, and Nails Hair thinning, slow-healing skin, or brittle nails without a clear cause. 🍬 ### Blood Sugar and Cravings Energy dips and strong cravings, where minerals like chromium and magnesium may play a role. 🦋 ### Thyroid and Hormone Concerns As one piece of the picture alongside thyroid and hormone blood work. 🏚️ ### Possible Metal Exposure Older homes, well water, certain jobs or hobbies, or a diet high in certain fish. If a significant exposure is suspected, Chelsea also orders blood or urine testing. The Process ## From consultation⏎ _to answers._ 01 Book Your Consultation Book your $250 functional consultation and complete your intake through your patient portal. Chelsea determines whether the HTMA is right for you. The test is billed separately. 02 Collect Your Sample About 1.5 inches of hair is cut close to the scalp at the back of the neck, either in the Carrollton office or at home with a kit. It takes about a minute and doesn’t hurt. 03 Lab Analysis Your sample is mailed to the lab for a full mineral and metal profile. Results typically return in about 2 to 3 weeks. 04 Live Results Review Chelsea reviews your results with you and builds a nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle plan that fits your broader care. The MySWANS™ Connection ## HTMA informs the⏎ _whole-person picture._ The MySWANS™ framework (Sleep, Water, Activity, Nutrition, and Stress Management) is at the core of Chelsea’s care. HTMA informs the Nutrition pillar and can point to mineral patterns tied to Sleep and Stress Management, so your plan is more targeted. MySWANS™ A Graceful Return to You [Learn More](https://myorchidwellness.com/myswans-a-graceful-return-to-you/) Before You Collect ## How to _prepare._ * Wash your hair with your regular shampoo the day before. On collection day, skip conditioner, oils, gels, and sprays. * If you color, bleach, relax, perm, or straighten your hair, tell Chelsea. She may ask you to wait a few weeks after a treatment or use untreated hair. * Braids, locs, and wigs are fine. The sample comes from your own hair close to the scalp, and other body hair can be used if needed. * Dandruff shampoos with selenium or zinc can raise readings. Tell Chelsea if you use one, since she may ask you to pause it first. * Keep taking your prescribed medications, and let Chelsea know about any supplements you take. * For home kits, follow the kit instructions closely and use clean stainless steel scissors. Good to Know ## Results, cost, _and safety._ * Results typically return in about 2 to 3 weeks after the lab receives your sample. * Functional testing is direct-pay and not typically covered by insurance. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. * Home kits are mailed to patients in Texas, New York, Virginia, and Washington DC. **Please note:** HTMA shows mineral patterns and possible heavy metal exposure. It does not diagnose mineral deficiencies, heavy metal poisoning, or other medical conditions, and it does not replace blood work. If a significant exposure such as lead is suspected, Chelsea will order blood or urine testing. Explore All Functional Tests ## Other testing available⏎ _at Orchid Wellness._ The HTMA is one of several functional tests available through your $250 functional consultation. [Learn about functional wellness](https://myorchidwellness.com/functional-wellness/) HTMA Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Mineral levels and ratios, plus possible heavy metal exposure patterns, from a small hair sample. You are here DUTCH Complete DUTCH Complete Hormone Panel One of the most comprehensive functional hormone tests: sex hormones, cortisol rhythm, melatonin, and metabolites. Learn more › DUTCH Adrenal DUTCH Adrenal Panel Cortisol and DHEA across the day to show how your stress response (HPA axis) is functioning. Learn more › GI-MAP GI-MAP Stool Analysis DNA-based gut assessment covering the microbiome, pathogens, inflammation, and digestion. Learn more › IgG / IgA Food Sensitivity Panel Delayed food reactivity that can guide a structured elimination and reintroduction plan. Learn more › OAT Organic Acids Test Urine-based look at energy production, neurotransmitter metabolites, B vitamins, and yeast markers. Learn more › Micronutrient Intracellular Micronutrient Panel Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids measured at the cellular level. Learn more › MTHFR MTHFR and Methylation Panel Genetic variants in your methylation pathway, interpreted alongside homocysteine, folate, and B12. Learn more › Frequently Asked Questions ## HTMA _FAQ_ No. HTMA measures minerals and metals in your hair. It does not test for medications, drugs, or alcohol. Yes. Coloring, bleaching, relaxers, perms, and straightening can affect some readings, so Chelsea will ask about your hair care. She may ask you to wait a few weeks after a treatment, or use untreated hair from another area. Yes. The sample is cut from your own hair close to the scalp at the back of the neck. If there isn’t enough scalp hair, other body hair can be used. No. HTMA adds a longer view of mineral patterns and possible metal exposure. Blood work is still needed for many things, including iron, vitamin levels, and diagnosing any deficiency or poisoning. Yes. Your intake is completed online, your hair sample can be collected with a home kit, and your results review can be by telehealth in Texas, New York, Virginia, and Washington DC, or in person in Carrollton. Results typically return in about 2 to 3 weeks after the lab receives your sample. Once they are in, you meet with Chelsea for your live results review. If you are following a mineral plan, Chelsea may suggest rechecking in about 3 to 4 months to see how your patterns are changing. She will recommend timing based on your results and goals. Functional testing is generally direct-pay. HSA and FSA cards are accepted, and Cherry payment plans are available to eligible patients. ⌊Chelsea Asante, FNP-C, functional and integrative wellness provider at Orchid Wellness⌉ Ready to Go Deeper ## Your body keeps a record.⏎ _Let’s read it together._ Your $250 functional consultation is your starting point. Chelsea will determine whether the HTMA is right for you, and the test is billed separately. Results reviews are in person in Carrollton, Texas or by telehealth across Texas, New York, Virginia, and Washington DC. Book your first available appointment at [app.myorchidwellness.com](https://app.myorchidwellness.com), or call or text [(469) 892-0194](https://myorchidwellness.com/hair-tissue-mineral-analysis-htma/4698920194). Have your **legal first and last name, email, and phone number** ready. 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Payment plans are offered through Cherry and are subject to approval. Rates range from 0% to 35.99% APR based on eligibility. Cherry is not the lender.