Some controversy exists over the reliability of hair analysis.

Accuracy of the analysis depends upon the lab, how the
sample is collected including treatment before and
after the analysis. When a hair sample is collected and
treated properly, an accurate mineral assessment can be
determined for aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, bismuth,
cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, thallium, tin, uranium,
calcium, MAGNESIUM, copper, ZINC, manganese, chromium,
cobalt, molybdenum, boron, iodine, lithium, rubidium,
selenium, strontium, sulfur, vanadium (some ?'s), iron,
phosphorus, POTASSIUM, sodium,and titanium. Three minerals, Magnesium,
Zinc, Potassium, assessed by hair analysis andconfirmed by periodic
blood labs are potential indicators of fatigue or over-reaching
associated with mineral deficiency
state (1, 2, 3).

(1) Bass DA, Hickock D, Quig D, Urek K. Trace element
analysis in hair: factors determining accuracy, precision,
and reliability. Altern Med Rev. 2001 Oct;6(5):472-81.
http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltext/6/5/472.pdf

(2) Yoshinaga J, Shibata Y, Morita M. Trace elements
determined along single strands of hair by inductively
coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Clin Chem. 1993 Aug;39(8):1650-5.
http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/reprint/39/8/1650

(3) Dr. Lawrence Wilson MD, "Nutritional Balancing and Hair
Mineral Analysis"
http://www.drlwilson.com/Articles/hair_analysis_controversy.htm

Minerals accurately measured by hair analysis are calcium,
MAGNESIUM,sodium, POTASSIUM, sulfur and phosphorus and
the trace minerals such ascopper, ZINC, manganese, chromium,
iron, boron, selenium, molybdenum, silicon, and lithium.

MAGNESIUM
Lethargy may occur as a result of Magnesium deficiency
(Saris N.-E. L., et al.2002; Hegge et al, 2002).

Saris N.-E. L., et al. Magnesium: an update on
physiological, clinical and analytical aspects.
Clinica Chimica Acta. 294:1-26, 2000.

Hegge HH., et al. Zinc deficiency in geriatric patients.
A study on a geriatric department's wheeling and dealing.
Tijdschr Gerontol Geriatr. 33(2):64-69, 2002.

ZINC
Zinc deficiency is associated with lethargy.
Prasad et al. (1978) reported a reverse relationship
between the sum of the number of present symptoms and the zinc
proportion. A lower serum zinc level is associated with
symptoms of zinc deficiency. As more symptoms appear the
probability of zinc deficiency is greater.

Prasad AS., et al. Experimental zinc deficiency in humans.
Ann Intern Med. 89:483, 1978.

POTASSIUM
Very low levels of potassium are associated with muscle
weakness (Yu-Yahiro 1994).

Chronic Fatigue may occur as a result of Potassium deficiency
(Friedland 1988).

Yu-Yahiro JA. Electrolytes and their relationship to normal
and abnormal muscle function. Orthop Nurs. 13(5):38-40, 1994.

Friedland J., et al. Potassium and fatigue. Lancet. 2:961-962,
1988.

Hair analysis, properly collected and analyzed will
provide an accumulated record of mineral status of magnesium,
zinc, and potassium. Blood lab tests also determine flux of
mineral status and with several tests may confirm the if
magnesium, zinc, and potassium are deficient in association
with exercise-induced fatigue. One problem with hair
analysis is the time required to complete lab analytics.

Bill Misner, Ph.D.
AAMA Board Certified Alternative Medicine Practitioner