Programs
Lab Testing & Blood Work
Comprehensive blood work assessed against optimal ranges, plus specialty testing including DUTCH, stool testing, OAT, food sensitivities, and hair mineral analysis.
The opening conversation
One of the most common things I hear from new patients is: "My doctor told me my bloodwork was normal, but I still feel terrible." I hear this so often because it is so common, and there is a good reason for it.
Standard blood work panels ordered through your family doctor are designed to screen for disease, not to optimize your health. The reference ranges used are based on averages from the general population, which means you can fall within the "normal" range and still be far from feeling your best. As a Naturopathic Doctor, I look at a much broader set of markers and assess them against optimal ranges, not just standard ones. The difference is significant.
Testing is not mandatory, but it is one of the most powerful tools we have for getting to the root cause of your symptoms quickly and with confidence. No guesswork, no assumptions. Just a clear picture of what is actually happening inside your body.
What I can help with
What We Assess Through Blood Work
- Standard blood work through my practice goes well beyond a basic panel. Depending on your concerns and goals, we may assess nutrient levels including iron, B12, vitamin D, and magnesium, thyroid function including TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies, sex hormones including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEAS, and AMH, cortisol and adrenal markers, insulin resistance and blood sugar regulation, inflammatory markers, liver and digestive function, immune markers, and a full lipid panel.
- Every requisition is tailored to you. We assess what is relevant to your symptoms and your cornerstones of health, not a one-size-fits-all checklist.
How I approach
Lab Testing & Blood Work
How Testing Works
- Testing is discussed at your Assessment or Strategy appointment, where we review what makes sense for your specific symptoms, health history, and goals. From there I provide a requisition and we review your results together at a follow-up appointment so you understand exactly what they mean and how they fit into your treatment plan.
- All standard blood work can be done at any LifeLabs location. Specialty testing kits can be picked up in office or mailed directly to you.
Please note that blood work and additional testing ordered through a Naturopathic Doctor is not covered by OHIP. Many extended health benefit plans do cover naturopathic testing so it is worth checking with your provider. I do not direct bill for testing.
What we might explore together
The full picture
Every patient's story is different but here's where we'll likely look:
- Specialty Testing Options
- In addition to standard blood work, I offer a number of specialty tests that provide a deeper look at specific areas of health. These are discussed and recommended based on your individual case.
- Food Sensitivity Testing (FST) measures your body's IgG immune response to a variety of common foods. This can help identify foods that may be contributing to symptoms like digestive upset, skin issues, headaches, joint pain, or fatigue.
- Organic Acid Testing (OAT) is a urine test that measures over 70 markers related to metabolism, nutrient status, gut health, and detoxification. It can help uncover root causes of fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, and digestive concerns.
- Stool Testing provides a detailed picture of your digestive system, including the balance of bacteria, the presence of yeast or parasites, markers of digestion and absorption, and signs of gut inflammation. Helpful for bloating, irregular bowel habits, and skin concerns.
- The DUTCH Test measures sex hormones, adrenal hormones, and their metabolites through dried urine to give a comprehensive picture of hormone production and balance. It also looks at cortisol patterns throughout the day, making it especially useful for fatigue, irregular cycles, PMS, hot flashes, and stress-related concerns.
- Hair Mineral Analysis measures levels of essential minerals and toxic metals stored in your hair over the past few months. It can help identify nutrient deficiencies, mineral imbalances, and heavy metal exposure, and is useful for fatigue, hair loss, mood changes, and unexplained symptoms.
FAQs
Don't see your question here? Reach out and I'll answer it directly.
Results are reviewed together at your Strategy or follow-up appointment. I walk you through what each marker means, how it connects to your symptoms, and how it informs your treatment plan. You will never receive results without context or explanation.
Absolutely and I encourage it. Bringing any recent lab results gives us a richer starting point and helps us identify what additional testing may be useful.
Standard blood work results are typically available within one to two weeks. Specialty testing timelines vary depending on the lab. We always review results together at a follow-up appointment so you fully understand what they mean for your health.
Blood work and testing ordered by a Naturopathic Doctor is not covered by OHIP. Many extended health benefit plans do cover naturopathic testing so I recommend checking with your provider. Please note I do not direct bill for testing.
Standard blood work can be done at any LifeLabs location in Ontario. Specialty testing kits are available for pickup in office or can be mailed directly to you.
No. Testing is always optional and discussed based on your individual case. That said, it is one of the most effective ways to get clear answers quickly and build a treatment plan that is truly specific to you.
Standard panels are designed to screen for disease. Naturopathic blood work is designed to optimize your health. I look at a broader range of markers and assess them against optimal ranges rather than population averages, which means we often find things that a standard panel misses.
Connected concerns
