How accurate is hair mineral analysis?
Written by
Leilani Ibeh
Reviewed by
Prof. William Dalton, Ph.D.The validity of hair mineral analysis depends on the standards and procedures of the laboratory in which the data is being obtained. Mercury levels may vary by as much as 78% from one laboratory to another due to differences in cleaning methods. Good laboratories utilize mass spectrometer techniques, which provide elemental results at the level of parts per billion, which are crucial in establishing the accuracy of the results.
Laboratory Certification
- ISO 17025 accreditation ensures standardized procedures
- CAP-approved labs show 30% better consistency
- Third-party validation reports verify detection limits
- Non-certified facilities have higher error rates
Sample Handling Protocols
- Acetone washing reduces cosmetic contamination by 90%
- Improper storage increases false positives 40%
- Segmented analysis improves chronological accuracy
- Documented chain-of-custody prevents tampering risks
Analytical Equipment
- ICP-MS instruments detect heavy metals at 0.1 ppb
- Outdated spectrometers miss trace elements
- Regular calibration reduces variance by 25%
- Automated systems minimize human error
Collection procedures have a significant effect on the reliability of results. Discontinue hair treatments at least 30 days before testing. Record all other hair products used. Contamination from hair dyes, swimming pools, and other sources will produce significant changes in the mineral readings. The posterior scalp is obtained for the collection to ensure uniformity of samples.
Interpret findings in context, in conjunction with blood tests. Hair testing also displays long-range mineral profiles, but is not useful in isolating A disease. Variance percentages suggest ranges of reliability. Labs should always make available any published validation studies that provide you with an accuracy metric.
Read the full article: Understanding Hair Mineral Analysis Secrets
