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.
Unfortunately, most annual medical check-ups involve only routine blood tests, every 2 years. For good reason, in terms of OHIP 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.
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 OHIP. 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.
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.
Higher Health offers patients comprehensive blood testing and each patient receives the highest standard of care.