TanedOut Hair Mineral Analysis

[tanedout]

Hair mineral analysis results back! Interesting that the recommended supplement regime seems to cross over with some of Gbol's suggestions regards minerals - including copper, magnesium and an adrenal complex that includes manganese. I'm not totally sure how to interpret these fully, so any advice welcome!

Some of the mineral ratio's seem to be out;

- LOW SODIUM/POTASSIUM (Na/K) RATIO (my bloods show low-ish serum potassium, but sodium in range)
- HIGH CALCIUM/POTASSIUM (Ca/K) (bloods show calcium middle of range)
- LOW SODIUM/MAGNESIUM (Na/Mg)

NUTRIENT MINERAL RATIOS

This section of the report will discuss those nutritional mineral ratios that reveal moderate or significant deviations from normal.
Continuing research indicates that metabolic dysfunction occur not necessarily as a result of a deficiency or excess of a particular mineral level, but more frequently from an abnormal balance (ratio) between the minerals. Due to this complex interrelationship between the minerals, it is extremely important that imbalances be determined. Once these imbalances are identified, corrective therapy may then be used to help re-establish a more normal biochemical balance.

NOTE: The "Nutritional Graphic" developed by researchers at Trace Elements, and presented on the cover of this report shows the antagonistic relationships between the significant nutrients, including the elements (arrows indicate antagonistic effect upon absorption and retention).

LOW SODIUM/POTASSIUM (Na/K) RATIO

When sodium is low in relation to potassium, emotional mood swings, including depression have
been cited in greater frequency. A low sodium-to-potassium ratio may also be related to phobias, withdrawal, repression and indecision.

HIGH CALCIUM/POTASSIUM (Ca/K) RATIO

High calcium relative to potassium will frequently indicate a trend toward hypothyroidism (underactive
thyroid). The mineral calcium antagonizes the retention of potassium within the cell. Since potassium is necessary in sufficient quantity to sensitize the tissues to the effects of thyroid hormones, a high Ca/K ratio would suggest reduced thyroid function and/or cellular response to thyroxine. If this imbalance has been present for an extended period of time, the following symptoms associated with low thyroid function may occur.

Fatigue
Dry Skin Constipation

LOW SODIUM/MAGNESIUM (Na/Mg) RATIO

This ratio is below the normal range. The adrenal glands play an essential role in regulating sodium retention and excretion. Studies have also shown that magnesium will affect adrenal cortical activity and response, and reduced adrenal activity results in increased magnesium retention. The sodium- magnesium profile is indicative of reduced adrenal cortical function. The following associated symptoms may be observed.

Fatigue
Dry Skin
Allergies (Ecological)
Constipation
Lowered Resistance
Low Blood Pressure

COMMENTS

DEPRESSION, SODIUM AND POTASSIUM:

A low tissue sodium to potassium ratio is related to many emotional changes including depression. A low sodium to potassium ratio may also be related to phobias, withdrawal, repression and indecision.

HYPOTHYROID:

High calcium relative to potassium indicates a tendency toward a low thyroid function. It has been found that an elevated TSH, even when circulating T-3 and T-4 are normal, is an early indication of hypothyroidism.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

It is suggested that additional supplementation and/or intake of the following nutrients and food substitutes (if any) should be avoided by the patient until re-evaluation.

* VITAMIN A *

Vitamin A has a stimulating effect upon the thyroid gland and therefore may contribute to a concomitant increase in the metabolic rate. Vitamin A's action increases the tissue retention of the mineral potassium and antagonizes the effect of vitamin D, which can contribute to calcium loss or a lack of retention. At this time extra vitamin A supplementation should be avoided by the patient unless an inborn error of metabolism exists.

It says I'm a fast metaboliser (type 4), and suggests reduce carbs, avoid all sugar and refined carbs, eat high copper foods and eat foods containing amino acids that aid calcium absorption.

Suggested supplement regime;

For reference my bloods;

- FSH = 2.1 iu/L (1.0 - 9.0)
- LH = 2.6 iu/L (1.0 - 9.0)
- Prolactin = 147mu/L ( < 550)
- Testosterone = 13.1 nmol/L (8.0 - 30.0)
- SHBG = 36 nmol/L (13.0 - 71.0)
- Cortisol = 563 nmol/L (150-600)
- DHT = 4.1 nmol/L (0.9 - 2.90)

- Inorganic phosphate - 0.7mmol/L [0.8 - 1.5]
- Serum calcium - 2.40mmol/L [2.2 - 2.6]
- Serum sodium - 143mmol/L [133 - 146]
- Serum potassium - 3.8mmol/L [3.5 - 5.3]
- Serum urea - 4.6mmol/L [2.5 - 7.8]
- Serum creatine - 88umol/L [64 - 104]
- Cortisol = 711 nmol/L (150-600)

- Total white blood count - 4.83 [4.0 - 11.0]
- Red blood cell count - 4.82 [4.5 - 6.5]

- Serum TSH - 0.51miu/L [0.2 - 4.0]
- Serum free T4 - 19.7pmol/L [10 - 20]

[mention]m_arch[/mention]

 

[tanedout]

Prior to getting these results I'd started taking betaine HCI & taurine along with some other sups I was taking anyway (MSM, cod liver oil, selenium, choline + inositol, sunflower lecithin), but this has resulted in a best mental clarity in years (less brain fog). I think betaine HCI has been the difference here. Interesting reading up about mineral ratios which seem to be the main things to look at from the hair analysis;


Na/K (Sodium/Potassium) = LOW (1.25 vs 2.5 reference)

• Suggests progesterone dominance, chronic stress, adrenal weakness, deficiency of hydrochloric acid (maybe explains benefits from HCI?)

• low sodium/potassium ratio is an indicator of adrenal weakness

• low Na/k ratio is highly associated with blood sugar imbalance and diabetes

• Many minerals raise the ratio such as manganese, chromium, and selenium.

• Vitamins can also affect the ratio. Most of the B-complex vitamins raise the ratio. Vitamin E tends to raise it a lot

Zn/Cu (Zinc/Copper) = HIGH (15.5 vs 8.0)

• Suggests severe copper deficiency or bio-unavailability of copper

• copper and zinc imbalance causes night blindness

Ca/Mg (Calcium/Magnesium) = HIGH (12 vs 7.0)

• indicates hypoglycaemic

• magnesium deficiency

• Deficiencies of zinc, taurine and vitamin B6 affect magnesium levels. These nutrients are synergistic with magnesium.

• Deficiencies of these nutrients may cause a magnesium loss or biounavailability.

Got copper supplements ordered (actually amazed when I checked my bottomless pit of supplements to find that I didn't have copper already as I seem to have most things!), so I'll focus on these sups and see how it goes;

- copper
- taurine
- betaine HCI
- B6 (active form)
- magnesium
- vitamin E
- Selenium

 

[Aleksandr]

I gotta run but ill take a look later. Interesting your phosphorus is so high

 

[Nina]

I gotta run but ill take a look later. Interesting your phosphorus is so high

High phosphorus could mean excessive protein breakdown since he is in fast oxidation

 

[tanedout]

I gotta run but ill take a look later. Interesting your phosphorus is so high

High phosphorus could mean excessive protein breakdown since he is in fast oxidation

I was a bit surprised at the fairly high phosphorous as my 'inorganic phosphate' serum levels are very low, but you're right I'm a fast oxidiser with a 'fast metabolism - type 4' categorisation;

FAST METABOLIZER, TYPE #4
The patient is classified as a FAST METABOLIZER TYPE #4. This metabolic type has a dominance of phosphorus relative to calcium (sympathetic dominance), with an existing adrenal and thyroid insufficiency. This pattern is characteristic of "stress burnout," which can be a result of prolonged, chronic stress. This pattern may result in extreme fatigue and depression.

FAST METABOLISM TYPE IV - Characteristics
1- Sympathetic Dominant.
2- Thyroid activity = decreased.
3- Parathyroid activity = increased.
4- Adrenal activity = decreased.
5- Stomach acid = low.
6- Pancreatic activity = increased
7- Bodyshape consideration = lean muscular to apple.
8- Energy = periodic fatigue and depression.
9- Disease susceptibility - refer to "Disease Classification Process".
10- Toxic retention rate - variable, but usually high.
11- Stress Index - classic "stress burnout"

Interesting to see this suggests 'low stomach acid'. I'm definitely seeing good results from taking Betaine HCI. Very noticeable improvement in mental clarity, although it doesn't seem to last, I have to keep taking it.

[mention]m_arch[/mention] I notice your results are very different to mine, despite both being post-accutane - in fact your results are almost the opposite!

We seem to share both having high Ca/Mg ratio however. Have you taken any of the recommended supplements from your test outcome, and have you felt improvements at all?

 

[Nina]

I just took a proper look at your results and it seems like you are more of a slow oxidizer. Where did you get these done? Since they use the phosphorus level to determine someones oxidation rate. Low sodium/potassium is slow oxidation, especially when your calcium/potassium and magnesium/sodium ratios are elevated. Calcium/potassium is thyroid ratio, magnesium/sodium is adrenal ratio, sodium/potassium ratio is the 'life' ratio. The lower, the more energy loss you usually get.

I'd watch out with the copper supplements in your case. It will lower your potassium and increase your calcium which means lower thyroid activity.

 

[Aleksandr]

I just took a proper look at your results and it seems like you are more of a slow oxidizer. Where did you get these done? Since they use the phosphorus level to determine someones oxidation rate. Low sodium/potassium is slow oxidation, especially when your calcium/potassium and magnesium/sodium ratios are elevated. Calcium/potassium is thyroid ratio, magnesium/sodium is adrenal ratio, sodium/potassium ratio is the 'life' ratio. The lower, the more energy loss you usually get.

I'd watch out with the copper supplements in your case. It will lower your potassium and increase your calcium which means lower thyroid activity.

He'd be a slow oxidiser according to ARL but a fast by TEI (trace elements, who did his test). I think TEI is more accurate

Both potassium and phosphorous are considered minerals that speed you up when theyre high on a hair test. As well as sodium.

 

[Nina]

I just took a proper look at your results and it seems like you are more of a slow oxidizer. Where did you get these done? Since they use the phosphorus level to determine someones oxidation rate. Low sodium/potassium is slow oxidation, especially when your calcium/potassium and magnesium/sodium ratios are elevated. Calcium/potassium is thyroid ratio, magnesium/sodium is adrenal ratio, sodium/potassium ratio is the 'life' ratio. The lower, the more energy loss you usually get.

I'd watch out with the copper supplements in your case. It will lower your potassium and increase your calcium which means lower thyroid activity.

He'd be a slow oxidiser according to ARL but a fast by TEI (trace elements, who did his test). I think TEI is more accurate

Both potassium and phosphorous are considered minerals that speed you up when theyre high on a hair test. As well as sodium.

Thats what im saying

 

[Aleksandr]

Its interesting your cortisol and DHT are high. What are your post accutane symptoms?


Yeah it is weird how your blood phosphate is low but its high in the hair test!


Do you exercise much? Ive been lathering myself with magnesium oil after exercise to help supply my body with mg. However, i dont think this will fundamentally resolve my ca/mg ratio (mine was worse than yours) because high sodium is supposed to deplete mg super fast. Im hoping the licorice tea lowers the sodium, and then that raises the mg.

It might be worth a try in your case though since the ratio isn't that bad.

Whats your diet like?

If you supplement the calcium / copper combo for fast ox, id make sure you included magnesium as well so you dont throw that ca/mg ratio out more.

My post accutane bloods also show low white and red blood cell counts. Ive had red platelet counts under the recommended ranges for the last 8 yrs or so actually



It is really strange our results are so different. Even @Orion who is post accutane has different results to the both of us too lol (he has high potassium). Its interesting we all have elevated levels of one of the 'speeding up' minerals though, maybe there's something to that like our bodies just all responded in a different way. I think the ideal test for us would be a progestin receptor but sadly i dont think it exists. Based on your hair results you dont seem to have too much more work to do; just get mg up a bit and potassium up somehow. But due to accutane im not sure if your reasonably good hair test actually corresponds with good health

Also not sure if your reasonably good hair test will stick if you stop taking those supps.

Ive also benefited from hcl, makes my digestion perfect. Havent been taking it on the licorice root though. My digestion now seems to cycle good and bad, it also seems to be affected by the licorice root cycle.

Also, do you have amalgam fillings or something? You got a bit of mercury in your test. Its saying yoyr iron is relatively low to the merc

 

[Jamie]

[mention]tanedout[/mention], taking into consideradion biogenic minerals and ratios we have quite similar hair test results. I was diagnosed as a person with super fast metabolism. Low Na/K ratio indicates I have probably something wrong with adrenal glands and that resulted with overproduction of glucocorticoids (cortisol, etc.) wich are promoters of protein breakdown - catabolism.
You can check my results there http://www.hackstasis.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=209

The one significant difference in our lab result is that Na/Mg ratio.
"LOW SODIUM/MAGNESIUM (Na/Mg) RATIO
This ratio is below the normal range. The adrenal glands play an essential role in regulating sodium retention and excretion. Studies have also shown that magnesium will affect adrenal cortical activity and response, and reduced adrenal activity results in increased magnesium retention. The sodium- magnesium profile is indicative of reduced adrenal cortical function. The following associated symptoms may be observed."

You have reduced adrenal function while I have the opposite. Maybe it is connected to the fact you are post-accutane while my abnormalities are probably due to the fact that in the past I was in acute distress through long period of time.

 

[tanedout]

Sent off another hair sample recently, but this got rejected due to not enough hair being supplied!

Probably not a bad thing though, as recently I've started taking taurine again (ARL recommend this to get you out of the 4-lows, as generally people in the 4 lows often struggle with supplements, and this is definitely the case for me).

Anxiety has become a big issue for me over recent months and I've tried all sorts of things to help, but supplementing with taurine has pretty much completely fixed that!

Leaky gut type issues where I just can't tolerate certain foods like grains seems to be improving slowly too.

Plan to continue with the taurine for another month or so, then do another hair test. Seems little point doing a hair test now as I am likely half way between one state and another, so the results wouldn't be very useful.

Definitely recommend taurine for anyone with the 4 lows though (especially those who don't tolerate some supplements very well)

 

[Shanks]

what is the science behind taurine for the 4 lows?

 

[tanedout]

what is the science behind taurine for the 4 lows?

I'd be interested to know this too. Sounds like it's important in regulating minerals in the body, but no idea exactly how

Taurine contributes many beneficial elements to the human body including the healthy function of of the minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.

Taurine helps the cell membranes function, which is important as unmethlylated phospholipid buildup can cause them to be inhibited. Taurine works to reverse the buildup and help increase an individual’s pace at coming out of a four lows pattern.

Taurine and the Four-Lows Pattern in Hair Analysis