Thanks orthomolecular for your input. It appears that part of the problem may be the toxic minerals blocking absorption of the nutritional minerals. For example, I have been supplementing with zinc picolinate (supposedly one of the more absorbable zinc supplements) for quite some time now, but apparently, per the hair result, may still be deficient intracellularly. My doctor is in agreement with my current supplementation regimen, but has commented that I may not be absorbing all of the supplements due to the toxic minerals.

The oral chelator I am using (as I understand) is supposedly a more “gentle” type than some of the other chelator chemicals (e.g. DMPS, DMSA, etc.). I feel there is a lot that I still don’t know regarding toxic minerals and chelation, but I am continuing to read and trying to learn all I can.