HTMA Test for US Customers: What the Standard Package Includes and How to Order
HTMA.EXPERT is published by Lifeline Diag Sp. z o.o., which also operates the LifelineDiag laboratory service described on this page. See our editorial policy.
Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) is available in the United States from several providers, and package names, element panels and what is included in the price vary considerably. This page does two things: it sets out what a professional HTMA test should include, so you can compare offers on your own terms, and it describes one specific option — the LifelineDiag Standard Package — including its price and how ordering works from the US.
What a professional HTMA test should include
When comparing offers, it is worth checking:
- The analytical method. Most laboratories use ICP (inductively coupled plasma) spectrometry, which measures many elements in a single sample.
- A clearly defined panel. The list of measured elements should be published before you buy — including both nutrient minerals and potentially toxic elements.
- Sample preparation. A standardised washing protocol reduces the influence of external contamination on the result.
- A readable report. Values should be shown against reference ranges, with an explanation of what the report can and cannot tell you.
- Access to interpretation. Some packages include a consultation, others do not. A result is most useful when interpreted together with your health history, diet and other test results.
- Transparency about limits. HTMA reflects mineral deposition in hair over several weeks. It is not a diagnostic test and does not replace blood testing or medical assessment. See What HTMA can and cannot show.
The LifelineDiag Standard Package at a glance
| Price | $169 USD ($144 with the code htmaexpert) |
|---|---|
| Method | ICP-OES |
| Panel | 29 elements — nutrient minerals and potentially toxic elements |
| Sample | 200 mg of hair, natural and untreated, collected at home by you |
| Test kit | No physical kit is mailed — after ordering you receive an e-mail with the questionnaire, collection instructions and the laboratory's mailing address |
| Report | Educational report available in an online patient panel; see a sample report |
| Report language | English |
| Turnaround | Up to 7 business days from the sample's arrival at the laboratory |
| Consultation | Not included in the Standard Package; available separately |
| Laboratory | Analysis performed in Poland (EU) |
Discount code
HTMA.EXPERT readers can enter the code htmaexpert at checkout to get $25 off the Standard Package ($144 instead of $169).
Who the Standard Package is for
The Standard Package is designed for adults who want a laboratory overview of their mineral profile and exposure to selected elements, and who will interpret the result on their own or together with a practitioner they already work with. If you want a consultation included, or are testing a child, LifelineDiag offers separate packages.
How ordering works from the United States
- Order online on the LifelineDiag Standard Package page (enter the code htmaexpert at checkout).
- Receive an e-mail with the questionnaire, sample collection instructions and the laboratory's mailing address in Poland. No physical kit is shipped to you.
- Collect the sample yourself: about 200 mg of clean hair that has not been dyed, bleached or chemically treated, following the instructions in the e-mail.
- Mail the sample together with the completed questionnaire to the address provided, by international mail of your choice, at your own cost. Delivery time depends on the postal service you choose.
- Receive your results within up to 7 business days of the sample reaching the laboratory: you get an e-mail with access to the online patient panel, where the English-language report is available.
What the result can — and cannot — tell you
An HTMA result shows the concentration of elements in a hair sample, reflecting deposition over several weeks of hair growth. It can be a useful source of additional information about mineral status and long-term exposure to selected elements. It does not diagnose disease, and it should not be used on its own to set a supplement protocol.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or diagnosis.