Your blood work is a reflection of your internal organ function and can reveal how well treatments are working for you. Naturopathic Doctors request the same routine blood work as Medical Doctors. We recommend complete bloodwork yearly, with follow-up testing as is clinically relevant to your unique health picture.
What is missing on your routine blood work?
Unfortunately, most annual medical check-ups involve only routine blood tests, every 2 years. For good reason, in terms of MSI costs, this blood work does not test for the complete picture. As Naturopathic Doctors, we see the importance of digging deeper and analyzing full blood work. We educate people about the importance of specific markers outside of standard routine testing. These markers include B12, Iron, ferritin AND TIBC, Vitamin D, hs-CRP (inflammatory marker), sex hormones, adrenal markers, liver enzymes, HbA1c (3 month measure of blood sugar), thyroid antibodies, and more.
Do you know what your blood work means?
In the conventional medical care model, there is often limited time to thoroughly review your blood work results. It is important that you understand what your results mean, and sometimes this requires repetition, support and education. Our Naturopathic Doctors make sure you understand your blood results so that you can better understand why specific treatment recommendations are important for you and how you can improve any markers of concern.
Naturopathic blood work is not covered by MSI. Costs will vary depending on the test(s). We review all testing options with you.
*Requisitions for past blood work, X-rays and other test results are obtained from your Medical Doctor on request.
Full Blood Work Testing
Annual blood testing is one of the most important steps you can take to monitor your health and prevent disease. It allows you and your doctor to catch critical changes in your body. You can then make the necessary treatment adjustments before developing more serious health concerns like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and cholesterol problems. Blood work contributes to a science-based disease-prevention program that can add quality and longevity to your life.
The benefits of specific blood testing go far beyond disease prevention. For example, by monitoring levels of sex hormones, you can take decisive steps to enhance your daily life and health routines. You may be able to correct mood imbalances, erectile dysfunction, libido concerns, fertility, abdominal weight gain, memory deficits and energy levels. You can even detect early cancer markers and take proactive steps to minimize your risk.
Optimal Wellbeing offers patients comprehensive blood testing and each patient receives the highest standard of care.
INSTRUCTIONS: To learn more about each type of blood testing, click on a tab below.
There are different types of cancers, with specific biomarkers. Preventive screens for family history based cancers include:
- CEA for colon cancer
- CA 125 for ovarian cancer
- CA 27.29 for breast cancer
- Alpha Feto-protein
- CRP and inflammation markers
- Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA)
Knowing your cholesterol level and lowering it are not necessarily enough to prevent heart disease. The heart health test includes distinct heart disease risk factors.
- Chemistry Profile (Complete metabolic panel with lipids)
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Advanced Cholesterol Profile
- C-Reactive Protein (high sensitivity)
- Homocysteine
- Vitamin D
Did you know that osteoporosis and osteopenia are most associated with nutrient deficiency? Bone density scans play an important role in understanding the health of your bones, but they are not enough to understand the most important aspects of your bone health. It is a good preventative practice to evaluate relevant hormones, nutrients and cofactors that can have an influence on bone health, osteoporosis and osteopenia.
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- DHEA-S
- ALP
- RF factor
- Estradiol, Progesterone, Testosterone,
- Cortisol AM and PM
- C-Reactive Protein (high sensitivity)
Infectious diseases result from the presence of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These infections are known as “communicable diseases” because they can be transmitted from one person to another. This panel can reveal your body’s overall response to infection and includes important markers such as:
- CBC
- Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- ANA and RF
- Thyroid Antibodies
- Zinc
Few topics have attracted as much attention in recent years as women’s health concerns. It is important to get the complete picture including heart health, inflammatory markers, metabolic, hormone and nutrient factors.
- CBC
- DHEA-S
- Estradiol
- Progesterone
- Pregnenolone
- Total and Free Testosterone
- Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- TSH, Free T3, Free T4
- B12, Ferritin, Vitamin D
- C-Reactive Protein (high sensitivity)
- Advanced Cholesterol Profile
- Liver Enzymes
Most threats to men’s health are largely preventable. The list of top health concerns is surprisingly short — heart disease, cancer and erectile dysfunction.
- CBC
- DHEA
- Total and Free Testosterone, DHT
- Estradiol
- Progesterone
- PSA
- Pregnenolone
- TSH, Free T3, Free T4
- Vitamin D
- C-Reactive Protein (high sensitivity)
- Cholesterol
- Liver Enzymes
Weight management is a complex health concern involving many factors from physical and biological to mental-emotional. Obesity is an epidemic, leaving many people at risk for age-related diseases like cancers, heart disease, diabetes and strokes. By addressing some of the metabolic imbalances associated with weight gain, while also addressing the nutritional, mental and emotional, men and women can finally achieve desired weight goals, maintain results AND significantly improve their health.
Uncovering your food sensitivities can relieve you of nagging symptoms and long-term health issues. In doing so, it is important to know the difference between food allergies and food sensitivities.
What is the difference between an Allergy and Sensitivity?
Food Allergies involve the release of IgE Antibodies, and are considered “true” allergies (ie. Peanut allergies). While our immune system is designed to protect the body from foreign invaders, the immune system of an allergic person attempts to “protect” the body from harmless substances such as pollens, animal dander, dust mites, mold spores, and components of certain foods.
If you have a true food allergy, your immune system will react to the ingested food antigen by releasing IgE antibodies. Reactive symptoms are more severe (ie. Wheezing and closing sensation of the throat) and occur immediately upon contact with the food. These IgE “allergies” are life-long and it is advised to avoid these foods permanently.
Food Sensitivities, on the other hand, involve the release of IgG Antibodies and should not be termed “allergies”; rather they are “sensitivities” involving the delayed release of IgG antibodies.
The IgG response will typically manifest in the gastrointestinal tract causing many digestive discomforts such as gas and bloating. IgG responses involve more mild symptoms that may take a few hours or even a few days to show up, which is why many people do not attribute their uncomfortable symptoms to a food reaction. It is advised to avoid your reactive foods for a period of 6 weeks, and then reintroduce and monitor symptoms.
Often we consume too much of one food, which can create an IgG response. Simply rotating foods so that you do not consume the same foods on a daily basis is a healthy practice.
Do you experience the following ‘Nagging Symptoms’?
- IBS, gas, bloating, indigestion
- Fatigue, lethargy, needing to sleep after you have eaten
- Decreased immune resistance
- Mood swings, depression
- Restlessness
- Acne or skin rashes
- Headaches, migraines
- Joint pain, body pain
Common Food Sensitivities:
- Wheat, Gluten, Celiac Disease
- Dairy Sensitivities (lactose or casein or whey)
- Food Additives
- Yeast Sensitivity
- Soy, Nightshades (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers), Corn
- Fructose Sensitivity
Many people are familiar with the role of serotonin in depression, and the common prescription of SSRI’s (compounds used in antidepressants) to treat depression.
People don’t always know that there are other important neurotransmitters, neuro-hormones and cofactors involved in mood health.
This considerable variability in neurotransmitters explains, in part, why no two people should receive the same medical prescription, and why proper evaluation leads to effective and individualized treatment.
Often uncovering your brain’s neurotransmitter imbalances early helps pre-empt the need to take prescription medications. Advanced laboratory analysis can help determine which neurotransmitter, hormonal and nutrient co-factor imbalances may be influencing overall neurotransmitter balance and mood health.
Symptoms that may indicate a Neurotransmitter Imbalance:
- Anxiety, restlessness, panic attacks
- Insomnia, sleep difficulties
- Headache/migraines
- Compulsive or addictive behaviour
- Fatigue, low energy
- Weight issues
- Low libido
Conditions Associated with Neurotransmitter Imbalance:
- Anxiety, Depression
- Panic disorder, OCD
- Menopause/Andropause
- Autism
- Asperger’s
- ADD/ADHD
Key points:
- Treatment for mood-based concerns, such as pharmaceutical medications, dietary recommendations, exercise, and nutritional/botanical supplements, can alter nervous system function.
- You can prevent serious mood-based health concerns before needing pharmacological intervention.
- It is important to treat and understand the actual root cause of your symptoms. There are several neurotransmitters, not just serotonin.
- Dig deeper – ask the right questions to determine the best form of treatment.
If you experience anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, mood or memory concerns, or if you are concerned about ADHD for an adult or child, neurotransmitter/nutritional testing is of value. Your results shape your treatment plan and allow you to target actual imbalances naturally. In combination with supportive therapy, this approach is empowering to anyone with mood or cognitive concerns.