HTMA FAQ's

Ca/K 

• The ideal Calcium to Phosphorus ratio is 2.6:1.  

• Above 2.6 represents dominance of the parasympathetic nervous system; A slow metabolizer experiencing stages of stress burnout and a slowing of the adrenals and thyroid. The slow metabolizer is fatigued due to impaired conversion of nutrients into energy.  
• Below 2.6 represents a fast metabolizer experiencing intense stress and a tendency for magnesium & calcium loss. The fast metabolizer is burning their fuel too quickly and running themselves out of energy.  Too high a calcium level slows metabolism. Looking at this ratio you'll see your metabolism speed...which in turn determines which diet is most optimal for you.  

Na/K

• The ideal Sodium to Potassium ratio is 2.4:1.  

• This key ratio shows the intensity of stress, the corresponding psychological stress reactions that a person may experience, as well as the propensity for magnesium loss. 

• The higher this number, the more intense the person's stress condition, and with it, a tendency for a short fuse and negative psychological reactions relating to fight or flight (Fight corresponds to anger and /or rage.  Flight corresponds to panic and/or anxiety). 
• A high ratio of sodium to potassium is also associated with asthma, allergies, lethargy and kidney and liver problems.
• Sodium antagonizes magnesium, so the greater the Na/K ratio, the more likely the patient is also losing magnesium.  
• Copper and Vitamin D both antagonize  potassium, therby increasing this ratio (a person with a high Na/K ratio should NOT be taking Vitamin D or copper!).  
• A low ratio can be a reflection of adrenal burnout and exhaustion, and at very low levels can lead to heart attack and cancer and, like a high ratio, liver and kidney disorders.  
• The balancing of this ratio is essential for everyone, but especially for anyone dealing with copper toxicity who, with high levels of copper or a sudden mobilization of copper through detox, is greatly affected by the negative psychological aspects of a high Na/K ratio which create reflex 'short fuse' reactions - the person reacts on a sub-cortical reflex level.  An exhausted low ratio on the other hand can reveal suppression of emotion and/or depression.  As it affects both the physical and psychological, until this ratio is balanced it can be almost impossible to 'get through' to a person. 

Ca/K

• The ideal Calcium to Potassium ratio is 4.2:1. 

• Both calcium and potassium play an important role in thyroid activity.  Calcium slows the thyroid and potassium speeds it up.
• A high Ca/K ratio indicates a underactive thyroid (and symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, cold hands and feet, depression, lack of sweating, and tendency towards constipation).  
• A low Ca/K ratio indicates an overactive thyroid (and symptoms such as excessive sweating, irritability, nervousness, and loose or frequent bowel movements during stress).  
• Diet & exercise will help with weight loss from a slow thyroid, but it could be an uphill battle if the Ca/K ratio isn't first addressed.  Even when a blood thyroid test comes back healthy, the HTMA may show otherwise, as the HTMA better shows how much thyroid hormone is being absorbed. Thyroid issues can be seen through HTMA long before they might ever show up in blood.  

Na/Mg

• The ideal Sodium to Magnesium ratio is 4:1. 

• Sodium levels are directly associated with adrenal function. 
• A higher ratio represents hyper-adrenal activity with symptoms including inflammation, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, diabetes, hypertension and Type A personality.   
• A low ratio of Na/K represents adrenal insufficiency, which leads to fatigue, depression, changes in weight, hypoglycemia, poor digestion, protein catabolism and allergies).
• HTMA is an excellent indicator of a person's hyper-adrenal or hypo-adrenal status, and how exhausted or burned out they may be. The more burned out the individual, the more cautiously detox needs to be approached (especially with copper), as the liver is likely not  producing enough ceruloplasmin to bind and transport the copper, nor is adequate bile being produced to excrete the copper that is being mobilized through detox.  

Zn/Cu

• The ideal Zinc to Copper ratio is 8:1. 

• A higher level of zinc generally reflects progesterone dominance and copper deficiency (with symptoms that may include anemia, arthritis, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, amenorrhea, and more).  
• A higher level of copper on the other hand indicates copper toxicity and estrogen dominance with symptoms which may include skin problems (such acne, psoriasis, eczema), emotional instability, "spaciness", detached behaviour, schizophrenia, PMS, reproductive problems, prostatitis, menstrual difficulties including amenorrhea, diminished feelings, depression and fatigue.
• Estrogen causes copper retention. 
• Note:  Copper toxicity is often present even with a high Zn/Cu ratio.  This is called latent coper toxicity. It is imperative that other factors are looked at to determine latent toxicity.

Ca/Mg

• The ideal Calcium to Magnesium ratio is 7:1.  

• Hypoglycemia occurs as the ratio moves in either direction away from the ideal and, at both very high and very low calcium levels, mental and emotional disturbances may result.
•  A high ratio of Ca/Mg also leads to increased insulin secretion and the increased risk of insulin resistance, increased risk of muscle spasms, increased risk of blood clotting, and heightened anxiety. 
• A very high calcium ratio, as can result from copper toxicity, can lead to the numbing of feelings and a detachment from reality, known as the 'calcium shell'.