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How To Test For Mineral Deficiency?
Question: Is a hair analysis test effective at finding a nutritional deficiency?
I'm looking at getting the following test:
https://www.medichecks.com/find-a-test/test/Hair-Mineral-Analysis_HairMin/
I want to know how accurate this type of test is.
I've noticed greying hairs and want to know if it is caused by a deficiency.
I'm looking at getting the following test:
https://www.medichecks.com/find-a-test/test/Hair-Mineral-Analysis_HairMin/
I want to know how accurate this type of test is.
I've noticed greying hairs and want to know if it is caused by a deficiency.
Brief Answer:
Hair analysis test is not very accurate in estimating mineral deficiency.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes,hair analysis tests can detect mineral deficiency and poisoning(due to heavy metals).
But,normal ranges of hair minerals is not defined.For most elements,there is no correlation has been established between hair level and other known indicators of nutrition status.
Level of certain minerals can be affected by many factors like color,rate of growth of hair etc.
Premature hair graying may be due to deficiency of vitamin like B6,B12,problem in pituitary or thyroid gland etc.It can be estimated through blood test and imaging.
Empirically,you can take food rich in vitamin B6 and B12 like liver,egg yolk,meat,vegetables,whole grain cereals etc.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Hair analysis test is not very accurate in estimating mineral deficiency.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes,hair analysis tests can detect mineral deficiency and poisoning(due to heavy metals).
But,normal ranges of hair minerals is not defined.For most elements,there is no correlation has been established between hair level and other known indicators of nutrition status.
Level of certain minerals can be affected by many factors like color,rate of growth of hair etc.
Premature hair graying may be due to deficiency of vitamin like B6,B12,problem in pituitary or thyroid gland etc.It can be estimated through blood test and imaging.
Empirically,you can take food rich in vitamin B6 and B12 like liver,egg yolk,meat,vegetables,whole grain cereals etc.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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