Most people landing here are weighing up whether HTMA is the right test. Every question we've been asked over fifty years, by category — or search to jump.
The basics — what it is, what it shows, who it's for
HTMA is a forensic test measuring ~35 minerals and toxic metals in a small head-hair sample. Hair is metabolically active and reflects an average of mineral status over 90+ days — capturing patterns that blood tests (which only reflect right now) miss.
It doesn't diagnose disease. It reveals mineral patterns and ratios that tell us how your body uses, stores, and excretes nutrients and toxins.
No. HTMA is not a diagnostic test and we don't claim otherwise. It's an interpretive tool informing supportive nutrition and lifestyle changes. If you're unwell or seeking a diagnosis, that's your GP's role.
Modern HTMA emerged in the 1970s when ICP-MS made it possible to measure trace elements in tissue at parts-per-million. ARL Laboratories — our lab — has refined its methodology since 1974 across over a million tests.
People told they're "fine" but still feel off. Athletes monitoring recovery and mineral burn. Parents wanting non-invasive testing for children. People with chronic stress, fatigue, sleep issues, or unexplained skin/hair/nail changes. Longevity-minded clients tracking mineral status year-over-year.
Not for medical emergencies, acute conditions, or as a substitute for GP-ordered blood work.
No. DUTCH measures urine hormone metabolites; OAT measures urine metabolic byproducts; HTMA measures minerals and metals in hair. They're complementary — HTMA is the most accessible, lowest-cost, longest-window of the three. We don't run DUTCH or OAT; if they're clinically appropriate, Gary will say so.
Blood is tightly homeostatically controlled — the body keeps serum mineral levels in a narrow range, even at the expense of stripping minerals from tissue. A "normal" blood result can sit alongside genuine tissue depletion. Hair is a buffered tissue with a 3-month window. Full comparison: HTMA vs Blood Tests.
What to choose, what happens after you pay
First HTMA: HTMA Baseline + Progress Analysis ($895) or HTMA Baseline Analysis ($495). The Baseline + Progress bundle pairs two tests over four months — the path most clients should take. The Baseline Analysis on its own suits the budget-aware or those testing the waters first.
Already had a Baseline Analysis (with us or elsewhere) in the last 4–6 months: HTMA Progress Analysis ($445) for trend comparison.
Within minutes: order confirmation with tax invoice and a link to the Mandatory Health Questionnaire. Complete it (8–12 min), Gary reviews, and if everything's in order we dispatch your kit within 1–2 business days. Full step-by-step: Order Confirmation page.
Two reasons. (1) Your responses contextualise the lab — without medications, recent illness, current supplements, and lifestyle, an interpretation is half-blind. (2) Your responses occasionally flag conditions where HTMA isn't appropriate; in those cases we refund and refer you back to your GP.
Yes. For children, the parent/guardian completes the questionnaire and is the contracting party. For an adult partner, they should complete the questionnaire themselves; you can pay on their behalf.
No. The written report is designed to be self-sufficient and most clients act on it directly. If you'd like a one-to-one with Gary after your report, a private booking link is included with the report itself — consultations aren't publicly bookable.
How to collect, what to avoid, what if you have no hair
~0.25g — a heaped teaspoon. Scissors, envelope, and tolerance in the kit instructions. Pictorial guide: Sample Collection.
Bleach and harsh chemical treatments contaminate the sample. Wait at least 6 weeks from your last bleach or chemical straightening. Standard semi-permanent dye is usually fine — flag it on the questionnaire.
Body hair is acceptable as a fallback — pubic, beard, or chest, in that preference order. Note it on the questionnaire so we adjust interpretation. If you've shaved your head within 6 weeks, wait until new growth is at least 1cm.
The nape of the neck is ideal — closest to the scalp, easiest to collect from, and least visually noticeable. Cut from multiple spots in a 3cm arc to avoid creating a single bald patch.
Wash with plain shampoo (no zinc or selenium dandruff shampoos for 7 days before — they contaminate trace readings). Don't condition heavily. Air-dry. Collect when fully dry.
Mail it in the included envelope to our Wellington address. We courier to ARL USA within 2 business days. International clients: tracked or signed-for postage minimum.
What you receive, when, and what it means
14–21 calendar days lab analysis from sample arrival at ARL, plus 5–7 days for Gary's review and protocol. Total from kit dispatch to protocol email: 4–8 weeks depending on geography.
Two things: (1) the raw ARL lab report — multi-page PDF with 35 mineral and metal levels, reference ranges, graphical chart; (2) Gary's interpretation and protocol email — the more important document — covering patterns, what they mean given your questionnaire context, and a recommended dietary and supplemental protocol. Where Gary recommends specific products, sourcing notes are included.
No. HTMA doesn't diagnose. It surfaces mineral patterns — e.g. a Ca:Mg ratio suggesting stress overload, or copper level suggesting oestrogen dominance. Starting points for protocols, not diagnoses. If a result genuinely concerns Gary, he'll tell you to follow up with your GP.
Absolutely. The report is yours; we encourage sharing it with your healthcare team. Many doctors aren't familiar with HTMA — that's normal, not a sign the report is invalid.
The protocol email is plain English and answers most questions. If a section is unclear, email gary@precisionhealthtesting.com — short follow-ups are free, typical response 24–48 hours. If your questions go beyond what email can sort, your post-report email also includes a private link to book a one-to-one with Gary.
How one-to-one time with Gary works
In most cases, the answer is no.
The reports you receive are designed to provide clear, practical guidance based on your HTMA findings and your broader health information. This includes consideration of:
For this reason, many people find they are able to move forward confidently without requiring a consultation.
In most cases, the recommended approach is to:
Consultations are generally best reserved for situations where:
Most people who achieve the best results commit to both the initial assessment and the follow-up retest from the outset — that's why the Baseline + Progress Analysis bundle is our recommended starting point.
Not publicly. Consultations are reserved for clients who've completed an HTMA test with us — a private booking link is included in the post-report email. Most clients don't need a consultation; the written report is designed to be self-sufficient.
No. The test price covers the lab fee, kit, postage, and Gary's full written report. A one-to-one with Gary is a separate, optional service available to clients post-report.
Remotely via Google Meet by default. In-person at the Wellington practice by arrangement.
No. PHT is a testing and interpretation practice. Where Gary's protocol recommends specific supplements, sourcing notes are included with your report — you order those separately.
Currency, methods, refunds, GST
New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Prices include GST where applicable to NZ clients. International clients invoiced in NZD; your card provider handles conversion.
Visa, Mastercard, American Express via Stripe. Apple Pay and Google Pay where supported. No bank transfer or cheques.
No. HTMA is not a registered medical service in New Zealand and is not covered by health insurance, ACC, or any government social service. This is plainly stated in our Terms and on every relevant page.
Tiered by where you are in the process: full refund before kit dispatch; partial refund after kit dispatch but before sample is at the lab; no refund once the sample is at the lab. Full detail in Terms Section 11.
Yes — automatically. A tax invoice is included with every order confirmation email and is also available in your client account.
Shipping, customs, and country-specific notes
Yes — 100+ countries served. International clients receive a digital sample collection guide (no outbound shipping). Sample return to Wellington is by tracked airmail, typically 5–14 business days depending on country.
Not on the collection guide — it's digital. Sample return is your responsibility for postage. PHT does not ship supplements internationally.
HTMA is broadly legal as a non-diagnostic test in most countries — you're responsible for confirming.
Yes — for clients who've received their report. The private booking link sent with each report shows availability in your local time zone automatically.
Email is the fastest path. Most questions get a reply within 24–48 business hours; client questions are free.
Email Gary