Comprehensive Sensitivity & Imbalances Test

Intolerance: This refers to your body’s difficulty in processing specific foods, often due to enzyme deficiencies or gut inflammation. Unlike allergies, which involve immune responses, intolerances develop over time and can cause discomfort such as bloating, fatigue, and skin issues. Intolerances can fluctuate based on dietary habits, overexposure, or improved gut health.

Sensitivity: Sensitivities typically involve external triggers, such as environmental factors like dust, pollen, or cleaning agents. These reactions may result in mild to moderate symptoms like respiratory discomfort, skin irritation, or neurological stress. While sensitivities differ from allergies, they can still significantly impact quality of life.

Imbalance: Imbalances highlight areas where your body struggles to absorb or utilize nutrients effectively. This can result from poor diet, inflammation caused by intolerances, or exposure to environmental toxins. Symptoms such as brittle nails, muscle cramps, or low energy often signal these deficiencies, which may improve with targeted dietary and supplementation strategies.

By combining all these categories, the test delivers an interconnected view of your health. For instance, food intolerances causing gut inflammation might inhibit nutrient absorption, resulting in imbalances. Similarly, environmental sensitivities may heighten bodily stress, compounding other issues. Understanding these dynamics equips you with the insights needed to create a tailored plan for improved health and vitality.

Collecting your hair sample for the 5Strands test is a simple, non-invasive process that you can complete in the comfort of your home. There’s no need to pause any medications or supplements before collecting your sample—these do not interfere with the testing process. To begin, take 5–15 strands of hair if it’s longer than 1 inch, or 20–25 strands if it’s shorter. The sample can be cut, brushed, or gently pulled from any part of your body. Ensure the hair is clean and free of visible debris or product residue for optimal results. Place the strands in the anti-static bag provided in your kit to protect the sample during transit.

Once your sample is ready, use the prepaid shipping label included with your kit to send it back to 5Strands. Be sure to register your kit online or through our mobile app before mailing your sample to link it to your account. Save your tracking information to monitor the shipment’s progress and ensure its safe delivery. Once your sample arrives at our lab, your results will be available within 5-7 business days, allowing you to take meaningful steps toward improving your health and well-being.

Your test results will provide a detailed, actionable roadmap for understanding and addressing your sensitivities and imbalances. The color-coded results categorize items into three sensitivity levels:

Level 3: High sensitivity—likely to cause noticeable symptoms such as bloating, skin irritations, or fatigue.
Level 2: Moderate sensitivity—may cause mild symptoms or contribute to discomfort over time.
Level 1: Low sensitivity—minimal or no noticeable symptoms.

Eliminate Level 3 Items: Start by avoiding foods and environmental triggers marked as Level 3 for 6–8 weeks to allow your body to reset. Address Nutritional Imbalances: Focus on incorporating whole foods rich in flagged vitamins and minerals. For example, if calcium is imbalanced, consider adding leafy greens or fortified plant-based options instead of relying solely on supplements. Evaluate Metal Sensitivities: Identify potential sources of heavy metal exposure, such as cookware, water, or storage containers, and make changes to minimize contact.


Your results may reveal interactions between different categories. Food intolerances could cause inflammation, preventing proper absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. Environmental triggers like cleaning agents may exacerbate skin irritations already aggravated by food sensitivities. Heavy metals can stress your body’s detox systems, worsening both nutritional imbalances and sensitivities. By addressing these areas together, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what’s affecting your health and how to restore balance. Retesting every 6–12 months ensures your plan stays aligned with your body’s evolving needs, keeping you on track for long-term wellness.

Take the first step toward better health by using your results to create a customized plan tailored to your unique sensitivities and imbalances. With 5Strands, you gain the tools and knowledge to transform your well-being, one actionable insight at a time.