HTMA Patterns I See in Women with Hormone Symptoms and Fertility Challenges
This blog post may contain affiliate links. At no cost to you, I may earn a small commission off products purchased through these links.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice.
One of the most common things I hear from women is:
“My labs are normal, but I don’t feel normal.”
Cycles are irregular or painful. PMS feels intense. Ovulation is inconsistent or nonexistent. Energy is low. Fertility feels out of reach. And yet blood work often comes back “fine.”
This disconnect is exactly why I rely so heavily on Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) in my practice. If you’re new to this testing method, I break down the full mineral–hormone connection in my post on The Power of Minerals in Women’s Hormones and Fertility.
HTMA doesn’t measure hormones directly. Instead, it shows us the mineral patterns regulating hormone production, stress adaptation, thyroid function, and fertility behind the scenes.
Why Mineral Patterns Matter for Hormones and Fertility
Hormones rely on minerals as cofactors. Without adequate minerals and proper mineral balance, hormones can’t be produced, activated, transported, or cleared effectively.
HTMA gives us insight into:
Long-term mineral trends (not daily fluctuations)
Adrenal and stress patterns
Thyroid hormone utilization
Blood sugar regulation
Estrogen and progesterone utilization
Cellular energy output
This is why mineral testing often explains symptoms when labs cannot.
Pattern #1: Four Lows (low Ca, Mg, K, Na)
This is one of the most common HTMA patterns I see in women with hormone symptoms and fertility challenges.
A four lows pattern can often indicate:
Chronic stress
Impaired adrenal function
Overexertion/burnout
Trauma
Deep nutrient depletion
How Four Lows Pattern Affects Ovulation and Progesterone
We know the body needs minerals to complete necessary hormones. functions. We also know that when the body is deeply depleted or stressed, the body will prioritize life-saving functions (and shut down less necessary functions like ovulation/reproduction and digestion).
Clinically, this pattern often presents as:
Fatigue that doesn’t resolve with rest
Menstrual cramps
Sugar cravings
PMS or cycle irregularity
Delayed or absent ovulation
Low progesterone or short luteal phases
Without proper mineral replenishment, hormones can’t effectively enter the cell to do their job.
Pattern #2: Cobalt Imbalance (high or low)
Cobalt imbalance can give a lot of information on the body’s ability to absorb important nutrients and clear excess estrogen from the body.
When cobalt is too low, this can be an indicator of low stomach acid and nutrient malabsorption.
This can contribute to:
Constipation
Bloating (worsened by hormonal fluctuations)
B12 deficiency (necessary for hormone metabolism)
PMS/cycle symptoms
When cobalt is too high, this can be an indicator of poor liver detoxification or methylation which directly impacts your hormones and cycles.
This can contribute to:
Flushing
Nausea
Constipation/bloating
PMS symptoms
While we don’t supplement with cobalt, we can support healthy stomach acid production and digestive function with digestive bitters.
Pattern #3: Zinc and Copper Imbalance (Estrogen–Progesterone Clues)
The zinc-to-copper ratio is often called the hormone ratio on HTMA.
Zinc tends to correlate with progesterone
Copper tends to correlate with estrogen activity
How Zinc and Copper Influence Hormone Balance
Common findings include:
Low zinc
Elevated or poorly regulated copper
This pattern can contribute to:
Estrogen dominance
PMS and mood swings
Heavy or painful periods
Poor egg quality/Ovulatory dysfunction
Zinc is critical for ovulation, progesterone production, immune function, and thyroid conversion, making this ratio especially important in fertility work.
Pattern #4: Sodium/Potassium Ratio (the hidden stress pattern)
Another common HTMA pattern I see in women with hormone symptoms and fertility challenges.
Imbalanced sodium to potassium (low or high), may indicate:
Acute or chronic stress
Impaired adrenal function
Impaired aldosterone and/or cortisone output
Burnout
What this looks like clinically:
Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
Feeling “wired” but tired
Feeling like nothing is “sticking” no matter how healthy you try to be
Irregular or missing ovulation
PMS, anxiety, or cycle instability
Sodium and potassium regulate fluid balance, nerve signaling, and movement in and out of cells. When they’re low, hormones struggle to get into the cells where they actually do their work.
This is why simply “reducing stress” isn’t enough. The body needs mineral repletion and adrenal support to restore proper hormone signaling.
Pattern #5: Thyroid Utilization Issues (Even with Normal Labs)
The calcium-to-potassium ratio is often referred to as the thyroid ratio on HTMA.
Why Blood Work Can Miss Thyroid Mineral Imbalances
Even with normal TSH, this ratio can indicate:
Poor thyroid hormone utilization
Slow metabolism
Cold intolerance
Constipation
Difficulty maintaining progesterone
This is why thyroid symptoms can persist even when labs appear “normal.”
Why These HTMA Patterns Matter More Than Supplements Alone
Many women are already taking magnesium, zinc, progesterone cream, adaptogens, or thyroid support, yet symptoms persist.
That’s because minerals work in systems, not isolation.
Supporting one mineral without addressing ratios can:
Deplete other minerals
Worsen symptoms
This is why mineral balance often regulates hormones more effectively than supplements alone.
Minerals Create the Foundation for Hormone Balance and Fertility
HTMA patterns tell a story about:
How long stress has been present
How the body has adapted
Which systems need rebuilding first
For women with hormone symptoms and fertility challenges, restoring mineral balance can:
Support ovulation
Improve progesterone production
Enhance thyroid utilization
Stabilize cycles
Create a more supportive environment for conception
When HTMA Is the Missing Piece
If you’ve been told your labs are normal but your symptoms persist, mineral patterns may be the missing link.
HTMA helps shift the focus from symptom management to foundational healing, allowing hormones to function the way they were designed to.
👉 If you want to understand how your mineral patterns may be impacting your hormones or fertility, you can schedule your free discovery call to learn more.