Re: Testing Mineral Levels

[Guest guest]

In the new article by Brownstein, he talks about the importance of testing mineral levels and correcting any deficiencies found before starting iodine supplementation.

What are the best ways to test mineral levels? Is there any way that is not expensive?

Zoe

There is a new article by Brownstein called "Iodine, The Rest of the Story" at VRP. http://www.vrp.com/art/1860.asp

[Guest guest]

I took an EXETEST for intercellular cal, mag and potassium. It’s a test that

examines cells taken from inside the cheek - $250 but my insurance paid 70%. I

hear that there is a more accurate test now though. Vitaminshoppe.com sells a

Zinc solution that can be used as a zinc supplement but also a test for zinc

sufficency... It’s called “Zinc Status” $17.

--- Zoe & <ZOEA@...> wrote:

> In the new article by Brownstein, he talks about the importance of testing

> mineral levels and correcting any deficiencies found before starting iodine

> supplementation.

>

> What are the best ways to test mineral levels? Is there any way that is not

> expensive?

>

> Zoe

>

>

> There is a new article by Brownstein called " Iodine, The Rest of the Story "

> at VRP.

> http://www.vrp.com/art/1860.asp

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I've decided to go ahead and try out the Hair Analysis at VRP for testing mineral levels. I find it interesting that they include iodine in their list of tested minerals. They also include selenium, magnesium, and zinc, which have all been seen as related to iodine metabolism.

I've added several links discussing the pros and cons of hair analysis for testing minerals.

Links > 12 Iodine Tests > Mineral Testing > Hair Analysis

Here are a few links from the VRP site:

Mineral Check Hair Analysis at VRP $59.95. The Mineral Check home test kit is composed of two easy and accurate analysis reports. By submitting a single hair sample to a testing laboratory - the kits come with easy-to-use and complete directions - you will receive two reports, one showing eleven mineral levels in the body, one showing levels of nine toxins in the body. The Mineral assessment report returns an accurate report of levels of eleven minerals, including cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iodine, magnesium, manganese, selenium, strontium, sulfur and zinc. The Toxin assessment report reveals the presence of nine toxic elements which includes aluminum, antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel and tin. http://www.vrp.com/det/9808.asp

Mineral Levels Analysis. Hair Analysis Unique Technique to Analyze Tissue Mineral Levels Ward Dean. "Few screening or diagnostic tests should be relied upon alone, and hair analysis is no exception. However, for tissue trace mineral assessment, hair analysis is the most convenient and cost-effective screening method, and reflects body mineral and trace element stores more accurately for many elements than blood or urine....Hair grows slowly, and is a very stable protein. Consequently, it tends to accumulate minerals. The average level of these elements over a period of time may be accurately determined. Blood, on the other hand, shows only what is present at the moment it is drawn. Blood levels of many substances depend on the level of hydration, composition of recent meals, activity level, and even the time of day. Urine shows only what is excreted from the body by the kidneys. Other distinct advantages of hair analysis are that it is non-invasive and painless, the sample keeps without spoiling, and can be easily mailed to a lab." http://www.vrp.com/art/480.asp?c=1144360653765 & k=/vrpsearch.asp & m=/includes/vrp.css & p=no & s=0

Mineral Check Hair Element Testing: Setting The Record Straight Ward Dean, MD. "Contrary to the conclusions of the JAMA study, hair testing has been confirmed to be a valid means to screen for tissue mineral and toxic elements such as lead, cadmium and mercury. This is supported by numerous studies (Chattopadhyay, 1977; Suzuki and Yamamoto, 1982; Airey, 1983; Katz and Chatt, 1988; and Sakai et al, 2000). A comprehensive review conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1979), which analyzed over 400 studies, concluded that …if hair samples are properly collected and cleaned, and analyzed by the best analytic methods, using standards and blanks as required, in a clean and reliable laboratory by experienced personnel, the data are reliable." http://www.vrp.com/art/500.asp?c=1144095080718 & k=/det/9808.asp & m=/includes/vrp.css & p=no & s=0

Zoe

[Guest guest]

>>>>

I've decided to go ahead and try out the Hair Analysis at VRP for testing mineral levels. I find it interesting that they include iodine in their list of tested minerals. They also include selenium, magnesium, and zinc, which have all been seen as related to iodine metabolism.<<<

That will be interesting Zoe. I just had one done through Great Smokies Diagnostics - $48 for the test. It took 2 weeks to prep for it. I had to wash my hair with baby shampoo for 2 weeks. Also you cannot have colored or permed your hair for the last 2 mos.

Buist

[Guest guest]

Just found this...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstra\

ct & list_uids=11150111 & itool=pubmed_Abstract

--- ladybugsandbees <ladybugsandbees@...> wrote:

> >>>>

> I've decided to go ahead and try out the Hair Analysis at VRP for testing

> mineral levels. I find it interesting that they include iodine in their list

> of tested minerals. They also include selenium, magnesium, and zinc, which

> have all been seen as related to iodine metabolism.<<<

>

> That will be interesting Zoe. I just had one done through Great Smokies

> Diagnostics - $48 for the test. It took 2 weeks to prep for it. I had to

> wash my hair with baby shampoo for 2 weeks. Also you cannot have colored or

> permed your hair for the last 2 mos.

>

>

> Buist

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Just found this...http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=11150111 & itool=pubmed_Abstract===========================================================================

Interesting but I disagree. My blood levels matched my hair test in the few that were tested and it was right on for being high in Uranium. I was hit with 500 mCi's of RAI which is created with Iodine and Uranium. GSDL is very highly thought of for analysis and laboratory analysis. I am not a fan of NIH and that is where the article came from.

Buist

[Guest guest]

I agree. I had heavy metal hair analysis and then a 24 hour urine test

with a chelator. No overlap at all in the results. Don't know which to

believe, if either.

Sharon

> You may have found results you could trust from one company, but

the

> study you referred to sent the same samples to many companies and

> found that their analyses came back all over the place. Their

> reference ranges were vastly different and the results of the

> analyses were all different. Now maybe one of the labs gave the

true

> results, but how is one to know if you got a good one or not.

[Guest guest]

Does anyone find this compelling? I have had a lot of labs for GSDL

and respect them, but this response provides me no comfort when

considering hair analysis.

Sharon

>

> Great Smokies Labs response to Journal of American Medical

Association Study.

>

> http://www.gsdl.com/home/assessments/elemental/whitepapercomplete.pdf

>

[Guest guest]

, thanks for the link. It looks like an excellent article on hair analysis, and I'm looking forward to reading it in depth.

HAIR ELEMENT TESTING: CLINICAL UTILITY AND RELIABILITY Jian Ho, Ph.D., M.D., Fred Boeheim, M.S., Jon Pangborn, Ph.D., Jack Spitz, B.S. Pharm, Bob . (referenced by Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab). "Despite such attempts in the past, the reliability of hair element analysis cannot be properly assessed by supplying a portion of the same sample to several different laboratories and comparing the collective results, particularly when these laboratories are likely to employ different methodologies, sample preparation techniques, reference range criteria, interpretive commentary, and accreditation standards. Any comparative study of this nature—which attempts to define accuracy “by consensus”—is seriously flawed and can yield only disparate, inconclusive results. The only scientifically accepted means of assessing the validity of any laboratory test, including hair element analysis, is by measuring its reproducibility and accuracy in comparison with certified standards." http://www.gsdl.com/home/assessments/elemental/whitepapercomplete.pdf

Zoe

Great Smokies Labs response to Journal of American Medical Association Study.http://www.gsdl.com/home/assessments/elemental/whitepapercomplete.pdf

[Guest guest]

> I just had one done through Great Smokies Diagnostics - $48 for the

test.

>

> Buist

Can you give me a weblink reference for this one? Thanks. Zoe

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I've had 2 hair tests done, both through Trace Elements Inc. and

found the results corresponded to my experience, eg high cal/pot

ratio (indicating hypothyroid). Unfortunately they don't test for

iodine.

http://www.lements.com/home.html

Andy Cutler (the mercury expert) recommends Doctors Data....

http://www.doctorsdata.com/home.asp

They DO test for iodine. Here's some more info on hair testing and

Cutler's views on how to interpret esp with regard to the probability

of mercury toxicity...

http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_hair_test.html#get_hair_test

Anne

[Guest guest]

Thanks very much, Anne. These are great links. I've added them to the hair mineral testing section.

It sounds like you need to be a licensed health professional to order from Trace Elements. Is that correct? Do you know their prices? I couldn't find them.

The information from Andy Cutler is great! I especially appreciated that he included information on how to get the tests if you are not a health professional. And his information on how to interpret the tests looks very useful.

Zoe

I've had 2 hair tests done, both through Trace Elements Inc. and found the results corresponded to my experience, eg high cal/pot ratio (indicating hypothyroid). Unfortunately they don't test for iodine. http://www.lements.com/home.htmlAndy Cutler (the mercury expert) recommends Doctors Data.... http://www.doctorsdata.com/home.aspThey DO test for iodine. Here's some more info on hair testing and Cutler's views on how to interpret esp with regard to the probability of mercury toxicity...http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/HOW_TO_hair_test.html#get_hair_testAnne

[Guest guest]

My husband did a hair analyses through Great Smokies -- and it

revealed he had high mercury -- but for some reason his Doctor (who

had ordered the test) turned around and didn't take it seriously. It

was really expensive if I remember correctly too.

Namaste, Liz

On Apr 7, 2006, at 6:11 AM, sharflin wrote:

> I agree. I had heavy metal hair analysis and then a 24 hour urine test

> with a chelator. No overlap at all in the results. Don't know which to

> believe, if either.

> Sharon

>