Everything you need to know about HTMA testing
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a screening test that measures the mineral content of your hair. Because minerals are deposited in the hair as it grows, HTMA provides a biological record of your body's nutritional and toxic element exposure over a period of about 3 months.
The test analyzes levels of 36+ minerals including essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, as well as toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. HTMA has been used by healthcare practitioners worldwide for over 40 years as a tool for understanding mineral imbalances.
Blood tests and HTMA provide different types of information:
Many practitioners use both tests together for a complete picture. HTMA doesn't replace blood tests but provides complementary information.
Yes. Hair analysis is recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an accurate method for detecting toxic metal exposure. It has been used in forensic science and clinical research for decades.
Our partner laboratory uses ICP-Mass Spectrometry, the gold standard analytical method recognized by the EPA and used in research institutions worldwide. The laboratory is CLIA-certified, meeting federal quality standards.
Over 40 years of peer-reviewed research supports HTMA's clinical utility when properly conducted by accredited laboratories.
HTMA can be valuable for anyone wanting to understand their mineral status, but may be particularly useful for those experiencing:
HTMA is also popular among health-conscious individuals for periodic wellness screening.
HTMA Test Canada offers convenient at-home HTMA testing for Canadians from coast to coast. Simply order online at our pricing page and you'll receive detailed collection instructions and your printable HTMA submission form by email — no physical kit is mailed to you.
No doctor's referral or clinic visit is required. You'll collect your hair sample at home and mail it directly to our certified partner lab in the US.
While there are few HTMA-specialized labs located within Canada, HTMA Test Canada has partnered with leading CLIA-certified laboratories in North America that specialize in hair tissue mineral analysis. These labs use ICP-Mass Spectrometry—the gold standard in mineral analysis trusted by healthcare practitioners worldwide.
By partnering with specialized labs, we ensure you receive the most accurate results possible, with proper quality controls and decades of research-backed reference ranges.
Yes! HTMA Test Canada serves all of Canada. Whether you're in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Halifax, or any rural community — you can order online and we'll email your collection instructions and HTMA submission form promptly. No physical kit is mailed.
The beauty of our service is that you collect your sample at home in minutes, then mail it to our certified US lab using Canada Post. No clinic visit needed.
The reliability of an HTMA test depends on the laboratory performing the analysis. Look for these quality indicators:
HTMA Test Canada partners with labs meeting all these criteria, ensuring you receive accurate, actionable results.
HTMA Test Canada offers three packages to fit different needs and budgets:
All packages include emailed instructions and your printable HTMA submission form. You mail your sample to the lab at your own cost (typically a few dollars via Canada Post tracked packet). No hidden fees.
HTMA testing is generally not covered by provincial health insurance plans (like OHIP, MSP, or Alberta Health) as it's considered a wellness screening test rather than a diagnostic medical test.
However, some private health insurance plans or Health Spending Accounts (HSAs) may cover HTMA testing, especially if ordered through a naturopathic doctor or functional medicine practitioner. We recommend checking with your insurance provider or HSA administrator.
We provide itemized receipts that you can submit for potential reimbursement.
In Canada, hair mineral analysis typically ranges from $100-$500+ depending on the provider and level of interpretation included. Basic lab-only results start around $100-150, while comprehensive packages with practitioner interpretation can cost $300-500 or more.
HTMA Test Canada offers competitive pricing starting at $149 CAD — making professional-grade HTMA testing accessible to all Canadians. Instructions and your submission form are emailed after ordering.
Medical expenses in Canada may be eligible for the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) if they qualify under CRA guidelines. However, wellness screening tests are not always eligible.
If your HTMA test is recommended by a licensed healthcare practitioner as part of a treatment plan, it may qualify. We recommend consulting with a tax professional or reviewing CRA guidelines for eligible medical expenses.
You need approximately 125mg of hair, which is about 1 tablespoon or roughly the amount that would fit on a teaspoon. The hair should be cut as close to the scalp as possible, and only the first 1-1.5 inches from the scalp is used for testing.
If you have longer hair, you can cut from multiple small areas at the back of your head (nape of neck) so the collection isn't noticeable.
The best location is the nape of your neck (back of head, near the hairline). This area provides the most consistent and representative sample because:
If you don't have enough hair at the nape, you can use hair from other areas of the scalp. We can also test pubic hair if head hair isn't available.
No. Hair from a brush cannot be used because:
Fresh-cut hair from the scalp is required for accurate results.
Hair treatments can affect some mineral readings:
If you can't wait, we can still run the test - just note your hair treatments on the form. Our lab can account for some effects in interpretation.
If head hair isn't available or is too short, we can test pubic hair as an alternative. Pubic hair provides similar information, though the reference ranges may differ slightly.
Please indicate on your form that you're submitting pubic hair so the lab can apply appropriate reference ranges.
From the time your sample arrives at the laboratory, results typically take 10-14 business days. The complete timeline is:
You'll receive email notifications when your sample arrives at the lab and when your results are ready.
Your report includes:
View a sample report to see exactly what you'll receive.
Your report will show your levels compared to optimal reference ranges, making it easy to see which minerals are low, high, or within range.
For the Essential package, we recommend sharing your results with a qualified healthcare practitioner for interpretation. The Comprehensive and Premium packages include detailed interpretation to help you understand what your results mean.
Remember that HTMA results are for informational purposes - always consult with a healthcare provider before making significant health changes.
Absolutely! We encourage you to share your results with your healthcare provider. Your report is delivered as a professional PDF that's easy to share. Many naturopathic doctors, functional medicine practitioners, and integrative physicians use HTMA as part of their assessment process.
We offer three packages to suit different needs:
Yes, with some conditions:
See our complete Refund Policy for details.
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. All payments are processed securely through our payment provider with industry-standard encryption.
Yes! Customers in all Canadian provinces and territories can order online. No physical kit is mailed — your HTMA submission form and collection instructions arrive by email so you can get started right away.
After ordering, your instructions and HTMA submission form are sent by email promptly — no waiting for mail. You then collect your sample at home and ship it to our certified partner lab in the US. Canada Post Tracked Packet is the most affordable option and typically arrives at the lab within a few business days.
See our Shipping Info page for complete details, including the lab address and customs declaration guidance.
Wrap your hair sample in a small piece of clean printer paper and place it in a plain paper envelope (available at any post office or office supply store). Include your printed HTMA submission form, then mail it to our US lab via Canada Post Tracked Packet. Return shipping is the customer's responsibility — we recommend getting a tracking number.
HTMA is a screening test that provides information about mineral status, not a diagnostic medical test. Results should be used for educational purposes and to guide conversations with your healthcare provider.
We are not medical providers and cannot diagnose or treat any condition. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical advice.
It depends on your goals:
Either approach is valid. Just note your supplement use on the intake form so results can be interpreted appropriately.
Most practitioners recommend retesting every 3-6 months when actively working on mineral balance. This allows enough time for changes to appear in hair tissue. For general wellness monitoring, annual testing is common.