More Info on HTMA | Hands To Paws

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (TMA) is a non‑invasive, highly sensitive test used worldwide to evaluate long‑term metabolic and nutritional status. It reveals how diet, stress, and mineral balance influence overall health and the development of disease over time.

Why Minerals Matter

Minerals regulate nearly all enzymatic and biochemical processes. Health depends not only on adequate mineral levels but also on proper mineral ratios. When these ratios shift, the body enters a state of stress that can lead to dysfunction and disease.

HTMA provides a metabolic “blueprint,” often identifying imbalances long before clinical symptoms appear.

Why Use Hair (Fur) for Testing?

Hair reflects mineral deposition over approximately three months, offering a stable, long‑term view of metabolic trends.

HTMA is:

A screening tool for uncovering root causes of illness
A preventative tool for detecting imbalance before disease
A foundation for comprehensive wellness programs

For pets with existing health concerns, mineral patterns guide individualized nutrition and supplementation.

Research shows that ~94% of dogs display mineral patterns linked to chronic inflammation, including sodium‑to‑potassium imbalances and low calcium/magnesium—patterns associated with weakened connective tissue and increased cruciate ligament injury risk. Hands to Paws focuses on identifying and correcting these imbalances proactively.

HTMA vs. Blood Testing

Blood tests are essential for acute care but provide only a moment‑in‑time snapshot. Blood mineral levels remain tightly regulated and may appear normal even when tissue stores are depleted.

HTMA offers clearer insight because:

Hair contains higher mineral concentrations
Levels do not fluctuate daily with diet or stress
Results reflect ~3 months of metabolic activity

Stress from veterinary visits can also temporarily alter blood chemistry. TMA helps assess organ and gland function before abnormalities appear on bloodwork or imaging.

Using HTMA to Design Nutritional Programs

HTMA identifies a pet’s oxidation rate—how quickly or slowly food is metabolized at the cellular level. This determines:

The most appropriate diet type (raw, freeze dried raw, gently cooked, canned, etc.)
Which nutrients are needed in higher or lower amounts
Which supplements may be harmful if given incorrectly
Improper supplementation can worsen health. HTMA supports safe, individualized planning.
Weight issues often stem from mismatched diets and mineral imbalances.

Behavioral Health & Mineral Balance

Certain minerals are absolutely essential for nervous system stability. Proper amounts and ratios are key to your pet's emotional and mental wellbeing. HTMA helps identify patterns linked to behavioral stress and guides targeted nutritional support. Mineral and biochemical imbalances can contribute to:

Anxiety
Aggression
Hyperactivity
Depression
Fears and phobias

Heavy Metal Toxicity

HTMA detects chronic heavy metal exposure and accumulation, which can contribute to metabolic disorders and mimic unrelated diseases. Blood tests are unreliable for chronic toxicity because metals quickly leave circulation and accumulate in tissues. Hair provides a more accurate long‑term record. Mineral therapy guided by HTMA strengthens the body's elimination pathways and supports detoxification and metabolic recovery.

Common exposure sources include:

Vaccinations
Food especially commercial pet foods
Tap water and environmental contaminants
Generational heredity and accumulation

Puppies & Kittens

Young animals inherit mineral imbalances and toxicities from their mothers. Early HTMA identifies these patterns before symptoms develop, allowing for early intervention and prevention.

A Root‑Cause Approach to Wellness

Mineral balance is foundational to health. HTMA identifies imbalances, clarifies their origins, and guides correction before disease develops. Disease arises when internal balance is disrupted; conventional diagnoses describe the end result, not the cause. HTMA supports a preventative, root‑cause approach to lifelong wellness.

How to Collect a Hair Sample

Hair must be clean and dry; Pet must be bathed within 2 days prior
If bathed the same day, wait 2-4 hours prior to obtaining sample
Avoid ocean or pool water for 4 days
For pet's using topical flea/tick products, collect during the final week of the cycle
Collect at least 1 tablespoon of hair, clipped close to the skin with clean scissors or a clean shaver
Secure the hair sample in a folded piece of paper or small envelope. Mail the sample to the office address.

Please include the following information in your mailing: Owner name, pet name, date collected and body location sampled.

If you have a scheduled appointment in the office, hair sample can be obtained by the doctor during the visit

Testing Process

New clients schedule a New Patient Consultation with Hair Analysis (in person or telemedicine). Intake forms and medical records are due 72 hours prior; hair samples must arrive before the appointment.

The process includes:

60‑minute initial consultation (plus physical exam if in person)
Preliminary diet and supplement guidance
Laboratory processing (3–4 weeks)
30‑minute follow‑up to review results and create a personalized nutrition, supplementation, and detoxification plan

Initial TMA Package – 1.5 hours/$525

Includes:

Initial one hour consultation either in office or via phone or zoom.
Laboratory hair analysis testing with structured interpretation
Identification of priority imbalances
Individualized nutrition plan
Individualized supplement plan (based on muscle testing of 400+ supplements)
30 minute follow‑up consultation
Emailed results and recommendations

** Any recommended oral supplements are extra and are not included in this fee

Retesting and Follow-up HTMA - $310

Includes 30‑minute follow‑up phone consultation
Recommended every 3 months until balanced
Once patient is stable on HTMA, yearly testing is done

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