Key Mineral & Toxic Ratios in Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis | HTMA Guide

📊 Understanding Key HTMA Mineral Ratios

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) doesn’t just assess individual mineral levels—it also reveals how these minerals interact. The balance between key nutrient and toxic minerals provides critical insight into energy production, adrenal function, thyroid health, inflammatory status, detox capacity, and more.

🔹 Essential Mineral Ratios

1. Calcium/Phosphorus (Ca/P) — Metabolic Type & Energy Output
A primary indicator of metabolic type.

  • High Ca/P: Slow metabolism, low cellular energy, possible underactive thyroid or adrenal function.

  • Low Ca/P: Fast metabolism, overactive thyroid or adrenal stimulation, or stress adaptation.

2. Sodium/Potassium (Na/K) — Adrenal & Kidney Function, Inflammation
Called the “life-death” ratio due to its importance.

  • High Na/K: Acute stress, inflammation, or infections.

  • Low Na/K: Chronic stress, adrenal exhaustion, or depression. Also a marker for copper or heavy metal toxicity.

3. Calcium/Potassium (Ca/K) — Thyroid Activity
Also known as the thyroid ratio.

  • High Ca/K: Low thyroid activity (hypothyroid trend).

  • Low Ca/K: High thyroid activity (hyperthyroid trend).

4. Zinc/Copper (Zn/Cu) — Liver & Immune Function, Neurotransmitter Balance
Critical for emotional and immune health.

  • High Zn/Cu: Copper deficiency, potential sluggish elimination.

  • Low Zn/Cu: Copper toxicity, estrogen dominance, behavioral or emotional imbalance.

5. Sodium/Magnesium (Na/Mg) — Adrenal Strength & Stress Response
Referred to as the adrenal ratio.

  • High Na/Mg: Early or acute stress response.

  • Low Na/Mg: Chronic stress or adrenal fatigue, possible burnout.

6. Calcium/Magnesium (Ca/Mg) — Blood Sugar & Muscle Function
Known as the blood sugar ratio.

  • High Ca/Mg: Blood sugar instability, possible insulin resistance.

  • Low Ca/Mg: Hypoglycemia tendency, sugar cravings, or magnesium dominance.

7. Iron/Copper (Fe/Cu) — Oxygen Transport & Liver Health
Affects energy production and detox.

  • High Fe/Cu: Copper deficiency or hidden copper.

  • Low Fe/Cu: Copper overload, possible iron deficiency or poor iron utilization.

⚠️ Significant Toxic Mineral Ratios

These ratios reflect the body’s ability to buffer and eliminate toxic metals. When too low or imbalanced, they may indicate retention or impaired detoxification.

1. Calcium/Lead (Ca/Pb)

  • Low: Increased lead retention, low calcium buffering capacity.

2. Iron/Lead (Fe/Pb)

  • Low: Poor ability to counteract lead; may signal iron deficiency and toxic burden.

3. Iron/Mercury (Fe/Hg)

  • Low: Mercury retention, possible oxidative stress and liver dysfunction.

4. Selenium/Mercury (Se/Hg)

  • Low: Reduced detox capacity; selenium binds to and helps neutralize mercury.

5. Zinc/Cadmium (Zn/Cd)

  • Low: Cadmium accumulation, weakened immune response and detox.

6. Zinc/Mercury (Zn/Hg)

  • Low: Poor mercury clearance, disrupted enzymatic activity and digestion.

7. Sulfur/Mercury (S/Hg)

  • Low: Depleted sulfur levels or impaired detox pathways (e.g., glutathione).

8. Sulfur/Cadmium (S/Cd)

  • Low: Cadmium toxicity, sulfur pathway suppression.

9. Sulfur/Lead (S/Pb)

  • Low: Impaired lead detoxification, compromised methylation or sulfur-based detox.

🧠 Why Ratios Matter More Than Absolute Numbers

Even if individual mineral levels appear normal, imbalanced ratios can reflect hidden dysfunctions. HTMA practitioners use these ratios to tailor protocols that support organ function, mineral balance, detoxification, and emotional resilience.

HELPFUL and IMPORTANT LINKS:

📊 Click here to view a sample HTMA test results with graphs

👉 Click here to Order the Profile 1 HTMA (Test Results Only) with Optional Consult & Follow-up Summary or Personalized Written Report

📄  Click here to view a sample Consult Follow-up Summary with Session Notes & Suggested Protocol

📋 Click here to view a sample Personalized Written Report/Interpretation of HTMA Test Results

👉 Click here to order the Profile 2 HTMA (Test Results plus Computer-generated Lab Report) with Optional Consult & Follow-up Summary or Personalized Written Report

📋 Click here to view a sample lab detailed explanation of results report (for Profile 2 HTMA)

👉 Click here to order the Profile 3 Re-Test HTMA (Test Results plus Computer-generated Lab Report) with Optional Consult & Follow-up Summary or Personalized Written Report

📄 Click here to read the Do's and Don'ts of taking a proper hair sample for testing

🎥 Click here to view a slide show video showing How To Take a Hair Sample without creating bald spots