choosing a practitioner

First, Some Key Things To Look For:

Not all HTMA is the same, nor are all practitioners. Here are some basic tips to keep in mind...


  • Many labs 'offer' HTMA, but only  Trace Elements Inc (TEI) and Analytical Research Labs (ARL) specialize solely in HTMA and follow all proper testing procedures. TEI and ARL are distinctly different from other medical labs that offer HTMA.  They are the only labs which do not wash the hair sample (a procedure which can throw off key mineral levels by 30% or more), work with tightly defined reference ranges, and take a nutritional balancing approach inclusive of the bigger mineral picture.  While any HTMA test can provide insight into toxic metals, when it comes to nutritional balancing of essential nutrients, I would choose only to work with these two labs. 


  • Look out for practitioners who simply pass on the computerized lab report to you, even if those reports are from TEI or ARL. Automated lab reports are based on face-value readings, and HTMA charts should never be read at 'face value'. Many 'discount' services provide the automated "Profile 2" lab report, but I see all too often patients still left wondering what their results mean and, sometimes, misguided by the suggestions contained therein. 


  • Work with a practitioner who specializes in HTMA. Too many medical professionals attempt to offer HTMA to their clients, without fully understanding how to interpret the results.   Any M.D. can open a lab account, but this alone does not qualify them to interpret HTMA.  HTMA looks simple, but is infinitely complex - it requires years of dedicated practice, and is far more complex than looking at any one mineral level alone to determine toxicity or deficiency.  A good practitioner will be able to speak to you about the interrelationship of minerals, mineral ratios, patterns, hidden toxicities, the dichotomy between a true deficiency and a toxicity-induced deficiency such as with copper, and  conditions of intracellular loss such as with magnesium or potassium,  They'll have understanding and training from more than one approach, and will avoid the trap of selling 'root protocols' that claim to provide the answer to everyone (since everyone is bio-individually unique).  Lastly, the qualified practitioner looks beyond the physical and also understands (and can guide on) the psychological effect of mineral imbalances.

why work with me?

Rick Fischer

Here are 10 Reasons! As a leading HTMA Practitioner...

1. I specialize in the complex interpretation of HTMA data. It's at the very core of the work I do. With thousands of hours of HTMA study and practical application, and working 1 on 1 with many hundreds of clients worldwide every year using HTMA as the foundation, I have the experience to help you get the most out of your HTMA.  


2. My team of hTMA teachers comprises of the world's very best. Specifically,  I have trained under, and continue to consult closely with, Dr. Rick Malter Ph.D, arguably the world's foremost expert in this field for 4 decades, and who in turn was taught HTMA directly by the very pioneers of nutritional HTMA science (Dr. Paul Eck and Dr. David Watts). Having learned from several other masters as well, I am not chained or limited in my thinking to any one approach, but take what I feel are the best teachings from all.


3. I am, myself, one of the world's leading experts on 'copper toxicity'.  My research and contribution has been medically recognized and is available at www.coppertoxic.com, the Internet's most comprehensive resource and support site on the topic. I've brought together an international network of leading practitioners, researchers, and patients, sharing their voices to make a difference and on hand to further support other individuals struggling with copper toxicity.


4. I am a nutritional educator and the founder of Mineral Mastery, an advanced nutritional education training program to broaden both public and medical community awareness on the role minerals play in health, while also dispelling many of the harmful nutritional myths that are currently being sold out there.   

  
5. For lab testing I work exclusively with TEI Labs, one of only 2 recognized labs worldwide that specialize in HTMA and which follow all proper testing protocol and procedures.  TEI has advanced the important concept of the Na/K pseudo inversion phenomenon that can occur during a copper dump, and also offers a more comprehensive panel of heavy metal test results.  I am an Authorized Provider of Hair Trace Mineral Analysis by Trace Elements Inc. (Clinical Laboratory License No.: 45-D0481787 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, State of Texas Department of Health, CLIA 1988)

6. My client reports/assessments are one of the most comprehensive and personalized in the industry.  Most practitioners simply pass on to you an 'automated lab report' which in my opinion leaves a lot to be desired. Those 'automated' reports often miss many of the key nuances of the mineral pattern and can be misleading.  I personally put in ~4 hours of my professional time into each report (yes, you are working with me directly, not someone else who I pass the work off to).  I analyze your unique situation and create a PERSONALIZED 35+ page report which considers your specific symptomatology & history, interprets your charts, gives you explanation to both the physical and psychological effects that mineral imbalances may be causing you, and provides detailed supplementation and detox guidance. INCLUDED in my reports are:


  • Lab charts showing your levels of 36 essential minerals as well as toxic metals.
  • metabolic profile (how well your body is utilizating the nutrients it takes in)
  • energy profile (how efficiently your body produces energy)
  • stress response profile (your body's adaptation to, and effects from, stress) 
  • Comprehensive analysis of what your mineral levels and mineral ratios mean.
  • Analyses of your:
                    * adrenal strength
                    * thyroid expression
                    * copper toxicity status
                    * A look at your kidney and liver stress
  • Supplementation suggestions (with explanations why each is being suggested, and even helpful tips on what to look for when buying certain supplements).  You'll know what supplements are good for you, and which to avoid!
  • Detailed dietary guidelines based on YOUR mineral profile.   
  • Step-by-step Restore and Rebalance Program for supporting the adrenals, liver, detoxing, and rebalancing.

7. I am passionate about what I do, motivated by seeing how a mineral imbalance (and subsequent lack of proper guidance by her physician) saliently affected a loved one. It's become my mission to educate and bring awakened awareness to this field of mineral balancing in the hope of seeing a better world where similar suffering can be avoided and people are given informed guidance before it's too late. You can read more about my philosophy and bio here.


8. I am available and accessible.  I will not make you wait weeks or months to arrange a consult.  You always have access to me via email, and if you desire a phone consult, it can usually be arranged within the week. 


9. My fees are competitively priced, below or on par with other professionals, despite my report being the most comprehensive and informative HTMA assessment you'll find anywhere.

10. Since 2017, 2% of all online HTMA sales is donated to TheirWorld, a global children’s charity committed to giving the most vulnerable children and young people a brighter future in their world.

Your Work Changes Lives

“I wanted to thank you for the geniality of your analysis and report.  I am grateful for having the opportunity to work with you.  Thank you again Rick your work changes lives as it supports people to be more themselves.” ~ Michel​

Please Never Stop Doing What You Do

“Just wanted to touch base with you and let you know how amazing I am feeling…This time last year I felt doomed, dark and a shell of a person… I know that my journey /detox may still be far from over but just the last 3 months has been like a light has been switched on…Please never stop doing what you do as there are too many people out there that suffer and are shrugged off by GPs. Without your help my family wouldn't be where it is today.” ~ Mariana  

True Health and Healing

“I too extend my gratitude to you for the profound work you are doing and contributions you are making to bringing further light to copper toxicity and in the world of TRUE health and healing in general!” ~ Megan 

Saved My Quality of Life

"...Since that day, Rick has been my go to. He has guided me through every question and concern. Rick has proven countless times that he is here to spread awareness and do what is best for those who are experiencing copper toxicity, no matter the cause. He truly was a huge support for me since the beginning. After I heard about the hTMA hair test, I decided to get it done about two months after my IUD removal. …I encourage all of you to have an hTMA test and reach out to Rick Fischer for guidance. It saved my quality of life and for that, I am eternally grateful." ~ Joanie 

Amazing Insight, Outstanding Value

“The report I received provided an amazing insight into my current state of health. It has renewed my enthusiasm to continue on the path of fixing my health as well as providing an easy to follow road map to get there.   There are a couple of options when it comes to fixing your health. I choose the path of fixing the cause of the symptoms rather than taking drugs to mask the symptoms. Rick has an amazing knowledge of how to do this through mineral balancing and I highly recommend his services. I feel that the value for money in the services he provides is outstanding. Thank you for your help Rick." ~Chris

Recommend Your Work Highly

"Thank you so much for the results and for the very detailed explanation. I am very impressed with the amount of information you provided. Definitely I will recommend your work highly to any of my friends who were considering this kind of testing to be done."     ~ M.S.

An Expert in Copper Toxicity

"Your website (coppertoxic.com) is a major contribution to understanding this epidemic health problem that has destroyed so many lives. With your passion and determination you have made yourself an expert in copper toxicity." 
~ Dr. Richard Malter, Ph.D

A Skilled Practitioner

“I want to start off by saying how grateful I am for your assessment.  I found it to be very clear, thorough, educational etc.  To come across a healing science and a skilled practitioner who could confirm (my own beliefs and health studies) brings me such relief.  I’m so grateful. Thank you SO much." ~Nabil​

Happily Recommend Him

"I had my HTMA through Rick Fischer and happily recommend him to people.  Does a great report. He did an amazing website on copper toxicity and really understood some issues I was experiencing. Was so glad to find someone who really knew their stuff after previously following a path without proper guidance / support..” 

~Natalie

Dedication to Helping People

“I really appreciate your dedication to helping people. It's nice to have someone I can ask questions when I feel so alone and there are no doctors (that I can find ) that understand any of this."  ~ Amanda

Worth Every Penny

"Credit where credit is due; I must say I thought the quality of information was excellent. Worth every penny. I think what you do is brilliant, and you clearly know your stuff very well. I admire that."

~ Steve Hawes, Functional Medicine & HTMA Consultant, BSc in Biochemistry & Nutrition

I'm Telling Everyone

“Thanks again for all you do and for being someone I can touch base with and  learn from. I’m telling everyone how fortunate I feel to have found you!” ~Paige Rennekamp, CNHP​

Greatly Appreciated By Women Like Me

“Thank you also for your dedication.  Your efforts towards awareness and hopefully educating the medical community are greatly appreciated by women like me who are afflicted with copper toxicity."  ~ Debbie

Literally Saved Me

"Your HTMA test literally saved me!! It gave me EXACTLY what I needed to figure out what I need to do in order to balance out the body and give it exactly what it needs as I have rebooted my entire system. For that, I THANK YOU.”  ~ Elliot

Amazing Contribution

“Thank you for the amazing contribution you have made. Your website [coppertoxic.com] is a critical part of my practice. It's the go to place for my patients.” 

~Abdul Saad (MPsych-Clin)​

Feeling Positive About My Health

"Thank you again for all your help, guidance, and support. It truly means a lot to me, for the first time in a while I'm feeling in control and positive about the future of my health." ~ Alyssa

I've Noticed a Difference Already

"Thank you so much for the report!  There is a lot of good and detailed information in here.  I've already implemented some of your suggestions and I've noticed a difference already!  I'm also really enjoying your book, I haven't been able to put it down since I got it."  ~ Mira​

One of the Best

“Your clients will be lucky to have found you.  There are not too many “specialists” within this area!!  You are one of the few and probably one of the best!”~Marie

Highly Recommend Having Rick on Your Side

"I have been struggling for years with anxiety, depression, allergies, fatigue and major sinus issues. I feel I've exhausted all avenues. I've spent years going back and forth to Dr's who have little to no answers why a clean living, non smoking, young 30's female has been so sick with such low energy. I've tried therapy, anti anxiety, antidepressants, allergy specialists, naturopaths, supplements, sinus surgeries...you name it. Not one person has had a definitive answer.   I started the birth control pill at age 18 and around age 30 switched to the copper IUD.  The pill made me feel crazy and awful so I thought the IUD was the answer.  With the IUD, things took a turn for the worse and my symptoms just got worse, including brain fog, racing thoughts, and even worsening fatigue. After 1.5 years on the IUD I knew something was seriously wrong and I needed answers. 

I recently met Rick at a public speaking event. What he spoke about on stage resonated with me and sounded similar to what I had been experiencing.  We chatted after, and he seemed pretty confident that my problems stemmed from copper toxicity. He knew so much about it and everything he explained was so accurate to what I had been experiencing. I removed the copper IUD and started to feel better.  I contacted Rick and did the lab HTMA test. He was so accommodating and went out of his way to work around my schedule and explained everything so thoroughly. Within two weeks I had the results back and what do you know....it showed I have extremely high levels of copper! Having a definitive answer after so many years of not knowing what was wrong is such a huge relief.  Rick wrote a report and regimen for me to follow and took the time to walk me through it all in a way I could understand. I'm very excited to get started and I'm confident this is going to be a huge game changer for me. The fact that he knew almost right away what was wrong and was so accurate was huge for me and I feel he knows exactly what I need to do to get back on track. I would highly recommend having an HTMA test done and having Rick on your side." ~ Chelsea

I'm Most Grateful to be Learning From Someone Highly Experienced in This Field

"I would like to express a very sincere “thank you” to Rick Fischer who guided me very intelligently and rationally with my first HTMA test in 2017.  As a health practitioner, my health took a sharp and scary turn in the fall of 2017 after I had initiated my own attempt at remineralization and detoxification.


When I received my first HTMA report from Trace Elements, Inc., I broke down in tears.  They were tears of relief.  I knew that with this “map” in hand, I could find my way out of the complex situation that had arisen.  I had gone into a copper dump.  I was teetering on burnout, my calcium was so high, I was having warning signs of an impending heart attack, and my nervous system had seemingly gone “haywire”.  I felt so enthusiastic about my research on HTMA and my steady health gains after implementing the protocol suggested by Rick that I knew I needed to take more HTMA training.  


I had been completely unaware of the health implications of copper toxicity, nor did I realize that I had likely been copper toxic from birth.  The time had clearly come in my life to really start getting “under” this and getting “into" my biochemistry.  It continues to be life changing.


I’ve once again sought out Rick’s guidance for mentorship with my HTMA cases for my clients, and for myself and family members.  Working with Rick in this capacity is exposing me to his knowledge and experience and it is also helping me to integrate my background of offerings into this foundational work.  I’m most grateful to be learning from someone who is very knowledgeable and highly experienced in the field."


Michelle Haley DHHP, RCST®, HTMA Practitioner 

Exceptional...I Wish I Had This Info Earlier!

“The guidance provided is exceptional, I have been studying your report like the Bible, putting the dots together from my previous assessment and this. I have been tested in the past by different health practitioners that could detect somewhat the same problems but it was always addressed incompletely. My honest first thought was why I have not done this 10 years ago, and why is this approach not as widely available.  This report has so much information, every time I read it I find another gold nugget. Thank you kindly for helping me and making sure you deliver the best report…Lots of well put together information I believe is going to be life changing for me. It explains scientifically why I have the health issues and how I can control the real cause. I wish I could have had this info earlier to avoid getting here. Thank you kindly Rick" ~Gabriela

Rick Goes Way Beyond What You Would Expect

“Integrative Health Coaching is an amazing service to help you with your health issues that you often can't find answers to via conventional medicine. Many people suffer with so many unpleasant health issues, mental disorders, hormonal disorders, depression, intense physical or emotional pain and whatever they try doesn't seem to help. Rick is one of the top experts in HTMA in North America. His reports are extremely detailed and comprehensive. Rick doesn't settle for mediocre work, he is a perfectionist and takes his life mission very seriously. He is determined to help each of his clients to the best of his abilities and goes way beyond what you would expect from a medical professional. Rick has helped me uncover my most mysterious reasons behind my adrenal burnout, hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, muscle pains and chronic anemia and put me on a health protocol that is helping me regain my mineral imbalance and regain my health. I highly recommend Rick to anyone who cannot find the answers to their health issues. Thank you Rick for doing this work!!" ~Jasmine G.