Mineral and Heavy Metal Testing
HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Test)
At The Child Psychology Hub, we take a whole-child approach to wellbeing. Alongside psychological and developmental factors, a child’s physical health, including mineral balance, can play an important role in emotional regulation, energy levels, attention, stress tolerance and overall mental wellbeing.
Dr Ella Woods has a specialist interest in the wider physical health of children and how underlying physiological factors can interact with mental health, behaviour and neurodevelopment. She has completed additional training in this area and offers mineral and heavy metal testing as an optional, supportive assessment to help families better understand these influences.
Why minerals matter for children’s mental health
Minerals are essential for brain development, nervous system function, energy production and emotional regulation. They play a key role in processes such as neurotransmitter activity, stress response, sleep regulation and attention. When mineral balance is disrupted, children may be more vulnerable to difficulties with mood, focus, sensory processing or emotional reactivity.
Importantly, minerals do not work in isolation. Increasing one mineral without understanding the wider balance can sometimes worsen symptoms rather than improve them. For this reason, we do not recommend supplementing based on guesswork or isolated results alone. HTMA allows us to look at mineral patterns and relationships, rather than focusing on single nutrients in isolation.
What is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)?
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis is a non-invasive test that looks at mineral balance and potential heavy metal exposure over time. Unlike blood tests, which provide a short snapshot, HTMA reflects longer-term mineral patterns and trends within the body.
The test involves taking a small sample of hair from the back of your child’s head (at home with scissors), which is then analysed by a specialist laboratory. Results are interpreted within the context of your child’s health history, development and current difficulties.
HTMA is not a diagnostic medical test. It is used as a functional assessment tool to inform supportive, individualised wellbeing recommendations.
What is included in the HTMA assessment?
All HTMA assessments for children include:
A detailed health and wellbeing questionnaire completed by parents
A 30-minute phone or zoom consultation with parents to explore your child’s history, current concerns and suitability for testing
An at-home hair sample collection kit with clear instructions
Laboratory analysis of the hair sample
Personalised interpretation and analysis of results by Dr Ella Woods
Video recordings explaining your child’s results, which you can keep and revisit at any time
Individualised recommendations tailored to your child’s needs
HTMA package fee: £450
Supplement recommendations and follow-up
Where appropriate, supplement recommendations may be suggested to support mineral balance. Supplements are not included in the assessment fee and are purchased separately. Costs vary depending on individual need but typically range from approximately £1–£3 per day.
Follow-up consultation appointments are optional and available for families who would like ongoing support or guidance. Follow-up sessions are £140 per session.
How this fits with psychological care
This assessment package may be accessed as a standalone service but should not be viewed as a substitute for psychological assessment or intervention where a child has significant or ongoing mental health needs. In such cases, children will also require appropriate psychological or medical assessment and support. At The Child Psychology Hub, mineral and heavy metal testing may be offered either independently or alongside other services, depending on the child’s presentation and wider needs.
If you are unsure whether HTMA testing is appropriate for your child, this can be discussed during an initial parent consultation or during one of our 15 minute free phone calls. Please also check out FAQ section below.
HTMA Package Fee: £450
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is a non-invasive test that looks at patterns of mineral balance and potential heavy metal exposure over time. A small sample of hair is analysed by a specialist laboratory, allowing us to explore longer-term physiological trends rather than a short snapshot in time.
-
Minerals play an important role in brain development, nervous system function, energy production and emotional regulation. Imbalances can sometimes contribute to difficulties with mood, attention, stress tolerance or emotional reactivity. HTMA helps us understand these patterns so recommendations can be tailored more carefully to your child’s individual needs.
-
Blood tests tend to reflect what is circulating in the body at a single point in time and levels are tightly regulated by the body. HTMA looks at mineral patterns over a longer period, which can offer different and complementary information. HTMA does not replace medical blood tests or GP care.
-
Yes. HTMA involves cutting a small amount of hair from the back of the head and is completely non-invasive and painless.
-
No. HTMA does not replace medical care. Families are encouraged to continue working with their GP, paediatrician or other healthcare professionals, and to discuss any medical concerns with an appropriate medical provider.
-
No. HTMA is not a diagnostic medical test and does not diagnose mental health or medical conditions. It is used as a supportive wellbeing assessment to inform individualised recommendations alongside psychological, developmental and environmental considerations.
-
HTMA can be accessed as a standalone service. However, it should not be viewed as a replacement for psychological assessment or support where a child has significant or ongoing mental health needs. In such cases, children will also require appropriate psychological or medical assessment and support. At The Child Psychology Hub, HTMA may be offered either independently or alongside other services, depending on the child’s needs.
-
Supplement recommendations may be suggested where appropriate, but they are always optional.
Because some children have restricted or selective diets, sensory sensitivities, or limited food variety, it can be more difficult to meet nutritional needs through food alone. In these situations, targeted supplementation may be helpful.
Supplements are not included in the assessment fee and are purchased separately. Costs vary depending on individual needs, but typically range from approximately £1–£3 per day.
We do not recommend supplementing in isolation or without understanding overall mineral balance, as minerals interact closely with one another. Any recommendations are made with careful consideration of your child’s wider health, diet and individual needs, and supplements are always optional.
-
Follow-up appointments are optional. Some families choose to have follow-up support to review progress, adjust recommendations or ask further questions. Follow-up sessions are available at £140 per session.
For children significantly depleted in minerals, re-testing after 4 months is often recommended to ensure things are improving. We will discuss your re-test options on an individual basis.
-
HTMA may be helpful for some children, but it is not appropriate or necessary in all cases. Suitability can be discussed during the initial consultation, and families will be advised if this assessment is likely to be helpful.