Re: DDI test reliability?

March 1, 2004

I think you are smart for double-checking. A friend of mine also sent in

hair samples for her NT child but didn't say so on the form because she was

worried that the lab just fabricates the results based on what the diagnosis

is. I doubt that is the case, but who knows. It does seem odd that only

certain labs run these tests.

best,

Lora

_________________________________________________________________

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March 2, 2004

Your child's hair must really grow fast to have enough to send an inch worth

from close to the scalp twice that close together!

S

<tt>

Hello,

In January I ordered a DDI hair analysis on my 23 month old.

The results came back with very high levels of antimony. My

pediatric neurologist and pediatrician both discounted the

results and said that hair testing was unreliable.

About three weeks after the first test, I spent another $89

through Direct Lab Services and did a second test on my son.

In the interim, we did not make any changes to his diet,

shampoo, or anything else. I was surprised that a number of

the elements came back with significant differences from the

original test. Below are both test results. The original

test is listed first, the second test is listed below the

first.

I'm interested to hear comments regarding the accuracy of

the tests. Thanks,

Malinda

POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS

element result ref range color

==============================================

aluminum 4.3 < 8.0 green

aluminum 7.7 < 8.0 green

antimony 0.99 < .066 red

antimony 1.00 < .066 red

arsenic 0.024 < .08 green

arsenic 0.022 < .08 green

beryllium <0.01 < 0.02 no line

bismuth .042 < .13 green

bismuth .053 < .13 green

cadmium .14 < .15 green

cadmium .092 < .15 green

lead .52 < 1.0 green

lead .68 < 1.0 green

mercury 0.12 < 1.4 green

mercury 0.07 < 1.4 green

platinum <.003 < .005 no line

thallium < .001 < .01 no line

thallium .001 < .01 green

thorium < .001 < .005 no line

uranium .031 < .06 green

uranium .18 < .06 yellow

nickel .17 < .4 green

nickel .15 < .4 green

silver .04 < .2 green

silver .07 < .2 green

tin .14 < .3 green

tin .38 < .3 yellow

titanium 1.6 < 1.0 yellow

titanium .90 < 1.0 green

ESSENTIAL AND OTHER ELEMENTS

element result ref range color under/over 50%

============================================================

Calcium 501 125-370 yellow over 50%

Calcium 546 125-370 yellow over 50%

Magnesium 120 12-30 red over 50%

Magnesium 130 12-30 red over 50%

Sodium 64 12-90 green over 50%

Sodium 13 12-90 green under 50%

Potassium 74 12-40 yellow over 50%

Potassium 5 12-40 yellow under 50%

Copper 9.2 8.0-16 green under 50%

Copper 19 8.0-16 yellow over 50%

Zinc 170 100-190 green over 50%

Zinc 160 100-190 green over 50%

Manganese 0.07 0.2-0.55 red under 50%

Manganese 0.15 0.2-0.55 yellow under 50%

Chromium 0.35 0.26-0.5 white middle

Chromium 0.38 0.26-0.5 green over 50%

Vanadium 0.12 0.03-0.1 yellow over 50%

Vanadium 0.10 0.03-0.1 green over 50%

Molybdenum 0.084 0.05-0.13 white over 50%

Molybdenum 0.10 0.05-0.13 green over 50%

Boron 2.5 0.6-4.0 green over 50%

Boron 0.39 0.6-4.0 yellow under 50%

Iodine 3.2 0.25-1.3 yellow over 50%

Iodine 7.0 0.25-1.3 red over 50%

Lithium 0.009 0.007-0.023 green under 50%

Lithium 0.011 0.007-0.023 white over 50%

Phosphorus 221 160-250 green over 50%

Phosphorus 158 160-250 green under 50%

Selenium 0.79 0.95-1.7 yellow under 50%

Selenium 0.86 0.95-1.7 yellow under 50%

Strontium 1.7 0.16-1.0 yellow over 50%

Strontium 2.2 0.16-1.0 yellow over 50%

Sulfur 53700 45500-53000 yellow over 50%

Sulfur 45400 45500-53000 green under 50%

Barium 0.57 0.16-0.8 green over 50%

Barium 0.48 0.16-0.8 green over 50%

Cobalt 0.013 0.013-0.035 green under 50%

Cobalt 0.011 0.013-0.035 yellow under 50%

Iron 9.1 8.0-19 green under 50%

Iron 19 8.0-19 green over 50%

Germanium 0.082 0.045-0.065 yellow over 50%

Germanium 0.074 0.045-0.065 yellow over 50%

Rubidium 0.062 0.016-0.18 white over 50%

Rubidium 0.008 0.016-0.18 yellow under 50%

Zirconium 0.62 0.04-1.0 green over 50%

Zirconium 0.99 0.04-1.0 green over 50%

</tt>

<tt>

=======================================================

March 2, 2004

The first test obviously did not render him bald. I used other

spots on the back of his head for the second test.

Malinda

<_Shepard@e...> wrote:

>

> Your child's hair must really grow fast to have enough to send

an inch worth from close to the scalp twice that close together!

> S

>

March 2, 2004

Hi Malinda,

You may laugh at this, but I think the 2 results are pretty

close. This doesn't mean you should not wonder why the

differences, nor that the differences don't matter. But,

overall, the 2 tests look very

similar. If I were looking at them as my ONLY available

evidence, and wondering about the question " do hair tests

really test the elements they report on? " I would have

to say that the evidence seems to point to that the tests

are useful/reliable. As for the differences, we can

reasonably wonder if this

is due to a change in the hair itself, a " gross " mistake

at the lab, or expected inexactness of the testing method

(yes, of course there is some inexactness that is expected.)

My response is not meant to cover all bases. I think there

would/should be lots of other angles. I'm not sure if DDI

has anything on their site about what amounts of variance

are expected in testing error or not, for example.

I'm pretty sure that DDI would have data they can give you

on HOW they test their testing methods. I'd ask for that.

My guess is that the way DDI tests their testing is WAY

more rigourous then most of what you or I could dream up.

Let me know if I'm wrong about that LOL! I guess now

I'm going to be curious. Anyway, I'd bet that they do

things to test their test procedures that I would not

even understand if explained to me

If you mean to test their testing equipment and processes,

I think takeing a large hair sample, chopping the hair finely

and mixing it, then dividing it into 2 and testing both would

be a " better " test. However, I am NOT suggesting you should

spend the money to do this. And I would guess that DDI does

this or something far better on a routine basis.

They also have a general article on their site that is

a rebuttal to some article (in a med journal I think) about

that hair testing is not valid--- I think that article is

too general to address the sort of specific in your hair

test, but you might still find it interesting.

good wishes,

Moria

> Hello,

> In January I ordered a DDI hair analysis on my 23 month old.

> The results came back with very high levels of antimony. My

> pediatric neurologist and pediatrician both discounted the

> results and said that hair testing was unreliable.

>

> About three weeks after the first test, I spent another $89

> through Direct Lab Services and did a second test on my son.

> In the interim, we did not make any changes to his diet,

> shampoo, or anything else. I was surprised that a number of

> the elements came back with significant differences from the

> original test. Below are both test results. The original

> test is listed first, the second test is listed below the

> first.

>

> I'm interested to hear comments regarding the accuracy of

> the tests. Thanks,

> Malinda

>

> POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS

> element result ref range color

> ==============================================

> aluminum 4.3 < 8.0 green

> aluminum 7.7 < 8.0 green

>

> antimony 0.99 < .066 red

> antimony 1.00 < .066 red

>

> arsenic 0.024 < .08 green

> arsenic 0.022 < .08 green

>

> beryllium <0.01 < 0.02 no line

>

> bismuth .042 < .13 green

> bismuth .053 < .13 green

>

> cadmium .14 < .15 green

> cadmium .092 < .15 green

>

> lead .52 < 1.0 green

> lead .68 < 1.0 green

>

> mercury 0.12 < 1.4 green

> mercury 0.07 < 1.4 green

>

> platinum <.003 < .005 no line

>

> thallium < .001 < .01 no line

> thallium .001 < .01 green

>

> thorium < .001 < .005 no line

>

> uranium .031 < .06 green

> uranium .18 < .06 yellow

>

> nickel .17 < .4 green

> nickel .15 < .4 green

>

> silver .04 < .2 green

> silver .07 < .2 green

>

> tin .14 < .3 green

> tin .38 < .3 yellow

>

> titanium 1.6 < 1.0 yellow

> titanium .90 < 1.0 green

>

> ESSENTIAL AND OTHER ELEMENTS

> element result ref range color under/over 50%

>

> ============================================================

>

> Calcium 501 125-370 yellow over 50%

> Calcium 546 125-370 yellow over 50%

>

> Magnesium 120 12-30 red over 50%

> Magnesium 130 12-30 red over 50%

>

> Sodium 64 12-90 green over 50%

> Sodium 13 12-90 green under 50%

>

> Potassium 74 12-40 yellow over 50%

> Potassium 5 12-40 yellow under 50%

>

> Copper 9.2 8.0-16 green under 50%

> Copper 19 8.0-16 yellow over 50%

>

> Zinc 170 100-190 green over 50%

> Zinc 160 100-190 green over 50%

>

> Manganese 0.07 0.2-0.55 red under 50%

> Manganese 0.15 0.2-0.55 yellow under 50%

>

> Chromium 0.35 0.26-0.5 white middle

> Chromium 0.38 0.26-0.5 green over 50%

>

> Vanadium 0.12 0.03-0.1 yellow over 50%

> Vanadium 0.10 0.03-0.1 green over 50%

>

> Molybdenum 0.084 0.05-0.13 white over 50%

> Molybdenum 0.10 0.05-0.13 green over 50%

>

> Boron 2.5 0.6-4.0 green over 50%

> Boron 0.39 0.6-4.0 yellow under 50%

>

> Iodine 3.2 0.25-1.3 yellow over 50%

> Iodine 7.0 0.25-1.3 red over 50%

>

> Lithium 0.009 0.007-0.023 green under 50%

> Lithium 0.011 0.007-0.023 white over 50%

>

> Phosphorus 221 160-250 green over 50%

> Phosphorus 158 160-250 green under 50%

>

> Selenium 0.79 0.95-1.7 yellow under 50%

> Selenium 0.86 0.95-1.7 yellow under 50%

>

> Strontium 1.7 0.16-1.0 yellow over 50%

> Strontium 2.2 0.16-1.0 yellow over 50%

>

> Sulfur 53700 45500-53000 yellow over 50%

> Sulfur 45400 45500-53000 green under 50%

>

> Barium 0.57 0.16-0.8 green over 50%

> Barium 0.48 0.16-0.8 green over 50%

>

> Cobalt 0.013 0.013-0.035 green under 50%

> Cobalt 0.011 0.013-0.035 yellow under 50%

>

> Iron 9.1 8.0-19 green under 50%

> Iron 19 8.0-19 green over 50%

>

> Germanium 0.082 0.045-0.065 yellow over 50%

> Germanium 0.074 0.045-0.065 yellow over 50%

>

> Rubidium 0.062 0.016-0.18 white over 50%

> Rubidium 0.008 0.016-0.18 yellow under 50%

>

> Zirconium 0.62 0.04-1.0 green over 50%

> Zirconium 0.99 0.04-1.0 green over 50%

March 2, 2004

Malinda,

Having been a lab technician at one time, if this was my child- I would

not have been overly concerned about the differences. Always

variability. I probably would have called DDI just too see what their

take on it was. Allthough - they tend to force your doctor to call

instead of talking with you directly - that's the one thing I like about

Great Plains.

Anyway,

I find them to be quite similar. Without knowing the biology of the

minerals/metals you did see differences in,including how these are

excreted - its hard to speculate as to why. I do find the copper

interesting - and I would just jot down possible sources and see if

there might have been an exposure. Of coarse it was probably too long

ago for you to remember.

[ ] DDI test reliability?

Hello,

In January I ordered a DDI hair analysis on my 23 month old. The results

came back with very high levels of antimony. My pediatric neurologist

and pediatrician both discounted the results and said that hair testing

was unreliable.

About three weeks after the first test, I spent another $89 through

Direct Lab Services and did a second test on my son. In the interim, we

did not make any changes to his diet, shampoo, or anything else. I was

surprised that a number of the elements came back with significant

differences from the original test. Below are both test results. The

original test is listed first, the second test is listed below the

first.

I'm interested to hear comments regarding the accuracy of

the tests. Thanks,

Malinda

POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS

element result ref range color

==============================================

aluminum 4.3 < 8.0 green

aluminum 7.7 < 8.0 green

antimony 0.99 < .066 red

antimony 1.00 < .066 red

arsenic 0.024 < .08 green

arsenic 0.022 < .08 green

beryllium <0.01 < 0.02 no line

bismuth .042 < .13 green

bismuth .053 < .13 green

cadmium .14 < .15 green

cadmium .092 < .15 green

lead .52 < 1.0 green

lead .68 < 1.0 green

mercury 0.12 < 1.4 green

mercury 0.07 < 1.4 green

platinum <.003 < .005 no line

thallium < .001 < .01 no line

thallium .001 < .01 green

thorium < .001 < .005 no line

uranium .031 < .06 green

uranium .18 < .06 yellow

nickel .17 < .4 green

nickel .15 < .4 green

silver .04 < .2 green

silver .07 < .2 green

tin .14 < .3 green

tin .38 < .3 yellow

titanium 1.6 < 1.0 yellow

titanium .90 < 1.0 green

ESSENTIAL AND OTHER ELEMENTS

element result ref range color under/over 50%

============================================================

Calcium 501 125-370 yellow over 50%

Calcium 546 125-370 yellow over 50%

Magnesium 120 12-30 red over 50%

Magnesium 130 12-30 red over 50%

Sodium 64 12-90 green over 50%

Sodium 13 12-90 green under 50%

Potassium 74 12-40 yellow over 50%

Potassium 5 12-40 yellow under 50%

Copper 9.2 8.0-16 green under 50%

Copper 19 8.0-16 yellow over 50%

Zinc 170 100-190 green over 50%

Zinc 160 100-190 green over 50%

Manganese 0.07 0.2-0.55 red under 50%

Manganese 0.15 0.2-0.55 yellow under 50%

Chromium 0.35 0.26-0.5 white middle

Chromium 0.38 0.26-0.5 green over 50%

Vanadium 0.12 0.03-0.1 yellow over 50%

Vanadium 0.10 0.03-0.1 green over 50%

Molybdenum 0.084 0.05-0.13 white over 50%

Molybdenum 0.10 0.05-0.13 green over 50%

Boron 2.5 0.6-4.0 green over 50%

Boron 0.39 0.6-4.0 yellow under 50%

Iodine 3.2 0.25-1.3 yellow over 50%

Iodine 7.0 0.25-1.3 red over 50%

Lithium 0.009 0.007-0.023 green under 50%

Lithium 0.011 0.007-0.023 white over 50%

Phosphorus 221 160-250 green over 50%

Phosphorus 158 160-250 green under 50%

Selenium 0.79 0.95-1.7 yellow under 50%

Selenium 0.86 0.95-1.7 yellow under 50%

Strontium 1.7 0.16-1.0 yellow over 50%

Strontium 2.2 0.16-1.0 yellow over 50%

Sulfur 53700 45500-53000 yellow over 50%

Sulfur 45400 45500-53000 green under 50%

Barium 0.57 0.16-0.8 green over 50%

Barium 0.48 0.16-0.8 green over 50%

Cobalt 0.013 0.013-0.035 green under 50%

Cobalt 0.011 0.013-0.035 yellow under 50%

Iron 9.1 8.0-19 green under 50%

Iron 19 8.0-19 green over 50%

Germanium 0.082 0.045-0.065 yellow over 50%

Germanium 0.074 0.045-0.065 yellow over 50%

Rubidium 0.062 0.016-0.18 white over 50%

Rubidium 0.008 0.016-0.18 yellow under 50%

Zirconium 0.62 0.04-1.0 green over 50%

Zirconium 0.99 0.04-1.0 green over 50%

=======================================================

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