Is there a hair test laboratory to see hair contents?

I am interested in knowing if laboratories are out there to which doctors can send hair samples (hopefully only the hair above the skin) to get results like the quantity of potassium.

A doctor gave such a test many years ago but maybe he did it with his own equipment. I'm aware that its results are not nearly as good as a blood test and I have already had blood drawn and am awaiting results.

Few such tests are typically given but a little surface hair would be so easy to give up that I'd like to know. David Letterman had his hair tested on one of his shows so its not unheard of.

Is there a hair test laboratory to see hair contents?

Hello Robert,

YES THERE IS. There is a certain test called a hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) done by some laboratories (certified by Department of Health and Human Services) available online. A certified professional has to be registered with certain laboratories to be able to send hair sample for analysis via postal services.

Such test provides hair tissue mineral analysis, and much more than analysis it can actually provide a "blueprint" of your body's biochemistry. Such test can also provide pertinent information about your metabolic rate, energy levels, carbohydrate tolerance, stage of stress, immune system and glandular activity. It can therefore serve as the basis in recommending your nutritional supplements and dietary modifications.

As we know, the popular blood and urine test can also do similar analysis and infact they are more used than the rarely heard "hair test". But, the hair test actually can give more accurate analysis. As most biochemical functions are actually taking place inside the cells themselves, so testing the cells itself will give a clearer picture of the body's biochemical profile.

The hair is the most practical and readily accesible "body cell" to do the testing and it has been established that there are reliable relationships between the levels of minerals in the hair and other tissues of the body. Thus, the result of a hair test can reliably reflect your actual body's minerals level.

One advantage of hair test is early determination of metabolic dysfunctions which are detectable in blood tests later when the condition has advanced. Detecting early is advantageous as prompt treatment can be started before symptoms are manifested.

The hair sample are mailed to a certain laboratory,and the tests are done within 2-3 days. The result are then mailed back to your doctor.

(Got no idea about the David Letterman's test though......)