title: Hair analysis--a critical review.
abstract: The analysis of hair for trace elements is potentially a safe, noninvasive and extremely useful diagnostic tool, but it has not yet been proven to be reliable or to reflect the status of trace elements elsewhere in the body. As well, little is known about the normal ranges of concentrations of elements in the hair or about the physiologic and pharmacologic factors that affect the concentrations. Until these problems have been resolved satisfactorily the diagnostic use of hair analysis performed by commercial laboratories cannot be justified in clinical practice.
mesh_terms: D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006197:Hair / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D012015:Reference Standards; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements