Lab Education
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November 4, 2024

Using The Hair Elements Test By Doctor's Data In Your Clinic

Medically Reviewed by
Updated On
November 7, 2024

Exposure to heavy metals is a pervasive public health concern with significant implications for human health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 24% of global deaths are associated with environmental exposures. These metals can infiltrate various body systems and contribute to the development of chronic diseases, including diabetes, kidney disease, neurodegenerative conditions, skin ailments, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Traditional diagnostic methods may fail to detect chronic, low-level exposures that accumulate over time. This underscores the critical need for reliable heavy metal testing. The Hair Elements Test by Doctor's Data offers a comprehensive, non-invasive solution, enabling healthcare providers to accurately assess and address heavy metal burdens in their patients.

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Understanding the Hair Elements Test by Doctor's Data

This test is a specialized analytical assay that measures the concentration of various heavy metals and essential elements within a patient's hair sample. 

Hair acts as an excretory organ by incorporating endogenous and exogenous toxic elements into its structure during growth. This incorporation, coupled with a sample processing method called inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for precise measurement, enables hair analysis to act as a historical record of exposure. (8) 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has stated that hair analysis is a meaningful and representative testing method for exposure to most toxic metals as long as the sample is collected and analyzed correctly. 

Test Components

The Hair Elements test includes an analysis of over 30 analytes to provide a snapshot into nutrient and toxic element exposure: 

Toxic Metals

  • Aluminum
  • Antimony
  • Arsenic
  • Barium
  • Beryllium
  • Cadmium
  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Platinum
  • Thallium
  • Thorium
  • Uranium
  • Nickel
  • Silver
  • Tin
  • Titanium
  • Total Toxic Representation

Essential and Other Elements

Element Ratios

  • Calcium/Magnesium
  • Calcium/Phosphorus
  • Sodium/Potassium
  • Zinc/Copper
  • Zinc/Cadmium

Clinical Applications of the Hair Elements Test

According to Doctor's Data, the Hair Element test is helpful for patients experiencing the following health concerns:

Toxic elements can negatively impact every body system by affecting the body through eight primary mechanisms: 

  • Poison enzymes
  • Displace structural minerals
  • Damage organs
  • Damage DNA
  • Modify gene expression
  • Damage cell membranes
  • Disrupt hormonal balance 

Research has tied heavy metal exposure to other symptoms and health conditions other than what has already been listed, including (22, 28, 31): 

  • Nosebleeds
  • Colic
  • Changes in skin and nails
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Cognitive decline

Benefits of Using the Hair Elements Test in Your Clinic

The Hair Elements test provides a comprehensive analysis of over 30 minerals and metals. This extensive profiling enables healthcare providers to identify harmful exposures to toxic elements and detect imbalances in essential nutrients that, when either too high or too low, can negatively impact health. 

Because hair growth occurs at an average rate of 1-2 centimeters per month, hair analysis provides a "temporal record" of element metabolism and exposure over weeks to months. Compared to urine and blood samples, toxic elements may be 200-300 times more concentrated in hair. This amplification enhances the sensitivity and reliability of hair analysis for detecting recent and chronic exposures to these harmful metals. (8)

Reputable government and health agencies support using hair analysis as a dependable method for monitoring specific heavy metal exposures. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges the accuracy of hair analysis in assessing mercury exposure from fish.

Furthermore, scalp hair can be gathered noninvasively and conveniently with little testing preparation, enhancing patient testing compliance. 

By offering a detailed elemental assessment, the test equips clinicians with valuable insights to develop targeted and effective treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Implementing the Hair Elements Test by Doctor's Data in Your Practice

Before incorporating the Hair Elements test into clinical practice, healthcare providers should familiarize themselves with the test collection procedures to effectively guide patients and prevent collection and analysis errors.

Test Preparation

  • No Special Preparation Needed: Patients do not need to undergo any specific preparations before sample collection.
  • Avoid Chemical Treatments: Patients should refrain from using hair products that involve perming, dyeing, bleaching, or other chemical treatments, as these can interfere with accurate test results.

Test Collection

Setting Up the Scale

  • Bend the back tabs of the provided scale to form a fulcrum.
  • Place the scale on a level surface to ensure accurate measurement.

Collecting Hair Samples

  • Use stainless steel scissors to cut hair samples from the back of the head.
  • Cut the hair as close to the scalp as possible.
  • It is recommended that small amounts of hair be collected from five or six different areas to ensure a representative sample.
  • Save the one inch of hair closest to the scalp and place it on the scale until it tips, indicating approximately 0.25 grams of hair has been collected.
  • Alternatively, you can collect pubic hair. Do not mix head and pubic hair samples.

Labeling and Shipping

  • Label the provided plastic bag with the patient's name, date of birth, collection date, and hair type.
  • Place the hair sample into the labeled bag and seal it
  • Send the completed test kit back to Doctor's Data

Turnaround Time

  • Estimated Results Delivery: Results are typically available within 2-4 days of the laboratory receiving the hair sample.

Interpreting Hair Elements Test Results

Each element has established reference ranges based on population studies. Values are reported in micrograms per gram (µg/g).

Elevated levels indicate higher than normal accumulation of the specific element. Potential sources include environmental exposure, occupational hazards, dietary intake, or medical treatments. 

Deficient levels suggest insufficient elements necessary for physiologic functions. Insufficient dietary intake, medical therapies, or comorbid health conditions could cause this. Deficiencies can contribute to various health issues depending on the element.

Test results should always be interpreted in the context of physical exam or other laboratory findings and the patient's symptomology, medical history, occupation, diet, and lifestyle.

Developing Treatment Plans Based on Test Results

Thresholds for intervention should be established based on element-specific toxicity profiles, severity, clinical symptoms, and evidence-based guidelines. 

When initiated, treatment protocols generally encompass exposure removal, supporting detoxification pathways, and as-needed symptomatic palliation. Treatment plans should be tailored to the patient's specific health concerns and identified toxicities. 

A sample treatment protocol for mercury toxicity, for example, could include:

  • Remove Source of Exposure: removal of amalgam fillings and elimination of high-mercury fish from the diet
  • Support Pathways of Elimination: support mercury elimination from the body by staying well hydrated, sweating, and having daily bowel movements.
  • Support Heavy Metal Detoxification: natural supplements, such as probiotics and chlorella, and medical chelating agents, like DMSA, have been used successfully to bind accumulated heavy metals and remove them from the body.
  • Reduce Toxic Effects: glutathione is a natural and potent antioxidant that can reduce inflammation and support the liver's detoxification pathways.
  • Treat Affected Systems: mercury toxicity can cause damage to the kidneys, nervous system, digestive tract, and skin; depending on the patient's symptoms, tailored therapies to encourage healing in the impacted systems may be beneficial.

Challenges and Considerations

Several challenges and potential shortcomings of the Hair Elements test that doctors should consider when ordering and interpreting results include: 

Sample Contamination

External contamination from hair treatments or improper collection can influence testing accuracy. If contamination is suspected, request a new sample following reinforced collection guidelines.

Result Complexity

Overlapping elevations or deficiencies of multiple elements can complicate result interpretation. Test results cannot determine the source of exposure or predict health outcomes.

Therefore, results should always be interpreted within the context of the patient's medical and social history. Providers can consult with toxicology or environmental medicine specialists or utilize decision-support tools to assist in result interpretation. When discrepancies or uncertainties arise, follow-up tests can be ordered to corroborate hair analysis findings.

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Key Takeaways

  • The Hair Elements test by Doctor's Data represents a tool in the arsenal of healthcare providers addressing the complexities of heavy metal exposure and toxicity. Its comprehensive, non-invasive approach facilitates the detection of toxic and essential elements, enabling nuanced clinical insights and tailored therapeutic interventions. 
  • By integrating this test into clinical practice, healthcare providers can enhance their diagnostic precision, optimize patient outcomes, and contribute to the broader endeavor of mitigating the pervasive impact of heavy metals on public health. 
  • As the evidence base continues to evolve, ongoing education and adherence to best practices will ensure the effective utilization of this test in promoting patient wellness.

Resources for Further Information

  • Ready to order the Hair Elements test by Doctor's Data through Rupa Health? Click here!
  • View a Hair Elements test sample report.
  • Visit Doctor's Data's website for more information and additional resources.
The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement or making any changes to your diet or exercise routine.

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Lab Tests in This Article

Hair Elements by Doctor's Data
Hair
The Hair Elements profile provides information regarding recent and ongoing exposure to several toxic metals and the status of specific nutrient elements. This noninvasive screening test requires only .25 grams of hair.

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Jaime Cloyd
Author
Dr. Jaime Cloyd ND
Naturopathic Physician based in the greater Seattle area
Medically Reviewed by
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