Advanced Laboratory Testing
At Lonsdale Naturopathic Clinic, we collaborate with leading laboratory companies to provide our patients with a wide range of testing services. Our doctors undergo training in specific methodologies to accurately interpret the results of these tests and provide personalized treatment plans tailored to each patients’ individual needs.
Our testing services encompass blood tests, urine tests and specialized muscle testing techniques. Whether you need diagnostic tests, specialized analyses or routine screenings, we can ensure you receive support and guidance every step of the way.
Specialized Treatment Areas
LifeLabs offers a comprehensive list of blood tests, covering various health indicators, including blood count, cholesterol levels, liver function, kidney function, thyroid function, hormone levels, vitamin levels, autoimmune assessment and much more. Tests may be ordered for general health screening, disease diagnosis, monitoring chronic conditions, or monitoring treatment progress. Overall, blood tests play a crucial role in providing valuable information about a person’s overall health, specific medical conditions and risk factors for disease.
The Dutch test, short for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Urine, is a specialized urine test used to assess hormone levels and hormone metabolites in the body. Unlike traditional blood tests that measure hormone levels in a single point of time, the Dutch test runs over a period of time, thus allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of hormone production and metabolism.
Hormones act together in an orchestrated symphony, and thus, one will affect the other and vice versa. As the Dutch test provides information on not only hormone levels but their metabolism, we are able to dig deeper to determine how hormones interact with each other and impact overall health and wellbeing.
The Dutch tests allow a very specific and individualized treatment plan to be created as it tells your Naturopathic Doctor exactly what is happening in your body.
Naturopathic thyroid testing aims to provide a thorough assessment of thyroid function while considering the interconnectedness of various systems in the body and addressing underlying factors that may contribute to thyroid dysfunction.
Thyroid Assessment – Blood Evaluation:
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: TSH is often the first-line test used to assess thyroid function. Elevated TSH levels may indicate hypothyroidism, while low TSH levels may suggest hyperthyroidism.
- Free Thyroxine T4: Free T4 levels reflect the amount of thyroid hormone circulating in the bloodstream. Abnormalities in free T4 levels can indicate thyroid dysfunction.
- Triiodothyronine T3: T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone. While most T3 is produced from the conversion of T4 in the body, direct measurement of T3 levels can provide additional insights into thyroid function.
- Thyroid Antibodies: Tests for thyroid antibodies, including thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), can help diagnose autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease.
- Reverse T3 (rT3): Reverse T3 is an inactive form of T3 that competes with active T3 for binding to thyroid receptors. Elevated reverse T3 levels relative to T3 levels may indicate thyroid dysfunction or cellular hypothyroidism.
Other factors considered in your Thyroid Assessment:
- Nutrition and nutritional intake – such as iodine, vitamin D, tyrosine
- Stress and the Adrenal Glands
- Environmental Toxins
- Medications
- Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Chronic illness and inflammation
- Genetics
Organic acid testing (OAT) is a diagnostic tool used to assess various metabolic processes in the body by measuring the levels of organic acids present in urine. These organic acids are metabolic intermediates produced during the breakdown of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) and other biochemical pathways within cells. It assesses factors such as energy production, neurotransmitter metabolism, detoxification capacity, intestinal microbial activity, and nutrient status.
Food sensitivity testing is a diagnostic tool used to identify specific foods or food components that may trigger adverse reactions or symptoms in individuals. Unlike food allergies, which involve an immune system response and can be severe and immediate, food sensitivities typically result in potentially milder and delayed reactions that may be challenging to pinpoint without testing.
Muscle testing is a key component of applied kinesiology and involves assessing muscle response to external stimuli. In applied kinesiology, muscle response is believed to reflect the functional status of various body systems, including the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, and energy meridians. Based on the findings of muscle testing, practitioners may recommend specific interventions to address identified imbalances.
Mycotoxins, produced by certain mold species, are some of the most prevalent toxins that are causing a growing global health concern due to their acute and chronic adverse health impacts including allergies, respiratory problems, digestive disturbances, and even more serious conditions like neurological damage or immune system dysfunction. Mycotoxin exposure can be challenging to diagnose without proper testing due to vague and often varied symptoms. The MycoTOX Profile Test is a comprehensive assessment of 11 different mycotoxins, including Aflatoxin M1, Ochratoxin A, Zearalenone, and Trichothecenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
In British Columbia, Naturopathic Doctors can refer patients to LifeLabs for conventional tests, such as blood tests, urine panels, saliva testing, and digestive stool analyses, among others. Naturopathic Doctors also have access to a broader range of laboratory tests than Medical Doctors, offering more comprehensive options for patient care.
You can discuss any laboratory test requests directly with your Naturopathic Doctor. They will guide you through the process, recommend appropriate tests based on your health needs, and ensure you understand all necessary steps.
While Naturopathic Doctors can order a wide range of laboratory tests, we are not currently licensed in BC to refer patients to medical specialists or order imaging (such as ultrasounds, x-rays, etc.).
Yes, Naturopathic Doctors work closely with a wide range of healthcare professionals, including medical doctors, specialists, chiropractors, registered massage therapists, physiotherapists, and acupuncturists, to provide comprehensive care for patients.
Our goal is to help you achieve optimal health, and that is best supported through open collaboration with your other healthcare providers. Many of our patients work with both a Naturopathic Doctor and a Medical Doctor. We believe that integrating naturopathic medicine and conventional care offers the best outcomes for you.
Yes, Naturopathic Doctors in British Columbia are regulated. To practice in BC, Naturopathic Physicians must graduate from an accredited Naturopathic Medical School and successfully complete standardized board exams.
In most cases, laboratory tests are covered to some extent if ordered by a licensed Naturopathic Doctor. However, coverage varies by plan, and we do not have access to specific policy details. We recommend contacting your insurance provider before your visit to confirm your coverage.
If your plan covers laboratory tests, you will need to pay the full cost upfront at the clinic and manually submit the receipt to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Please note that we are unable to direct bill any extended health plan for laboratory tests.
No, MSP does not currently cover the cost of any supplements or laboratory tests ordered by your Naturopathic Doctor. However, if you meet the required threshold, you can submit the cost of your laboratory tests with your end-of-year taxes.
Book an Appointment with one of our Naturopathic Doctors
Dr. Gurinder Dayal, BSc, ND
Dr. Alexa Rauscher, BSc, ND
Dr. Nav Dhindsa, BSc, ND
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