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Hair as a biopsy material: trace element data on one man over two decades.
L M Klevay1, D M Christopherson, T R Shuler
1United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, ND 58202-9034, USA. lklevay@gfhnrc.ars.usda.gov
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|April 8, 2004
Summary
Hair trace element analysis shows significant variability within individuals and poor agreement between labs. This highlights the need for diagnostic hypotheses rather than relying on vague symptoms for testing.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Analytical Chemistry
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Hair mineral analysis is increasingly common, often without clear medical indications.
- The rationale behind many hair analyses is poorly defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the variability of trace element data in hair samples from a single individual.
- To compare these findings with interlaboratory variations in published hair analysis data.
Main Methods:
- Collected multiple hair samples from a healthy individual over an extended period.
- Processed and analyzed samples under standardized conditions.
- Reviewed and compared extensive published data from other research laboratories.
Main Results:
- Coefficients of variation for essential elements (copper, selenium, zinc) ranged from 17-74%.
- Coefficients of variation for potential intoxicants (aluminum, cadmium, lead) ranged from 53-121%.
- Interlaboratory mean value ratios varied widely, from 2 (selenium, zinc) to 18 (aluminum).
Conclusions:
- Hair analysis requires a specific diagnostic hypothesis (e.g., cadmium intoxication).
- Analysis should not be based on convenience or vague symptoms due to high within-person variability.
- Poor interlaboratory agreement on normal values necessitates cautious interpretation of results.