Why do we need more lab tests?

If you’re already a Naturopathic patient at Flourish you know we are passionate about thorough assessment. If you can measure it, you can manage FLOURISH it!

Why do we need to expand our pathological view of health?

I am so grateful for our healthcare system in Canada. However it is based on a pathology model. If you need surgery, have a broken leg or are very sick it works great. Our healthcare system is designed to put out fires. The problem is: no one is rebuilding the house. Or even preventing the fire in the first place.

Does everyone need the same lab tests?

At Flourish we believe that every patient is an individual and requires a customized approach to their health. Therefore each patient will need different lab testing. However there are 4 key lab tests which are being missed by most Canadians.

1. Vitamin D (25OHD)

All Canadians are deficient so many healthcare practitioners believe that there is no point in testing vitamin D. This is incorrect because your level of deficiency will dictate the dose of vitamin D3 you should be taking. Being in an optimal range of vitamin D3 (around 150) will prevent disease, reduce autoimmune function, prevent bone loss, boost immune function, support hormonal balance and SO much more. Warning: Too much vitamin D can build up in the body and become toxic. Test your level and ask your N.D. for the appropriate D3 dose for you!

2. Inflammatory markers: CRP, ESR

Many argue that inflammation is at the route of most illness in the body. By testing markers of general inflammation we can assess disease risk as well as success of treatment. These tests help to assess general health as well as determine cardiovascular disease risk, progression of autoimmune disease and several common women’s health conditions like PCOS.

3. Extended Thyroid Panel: free T3, free T4, Anti TPO, Anti TG

Thyroid disease is one of the most under diagnosed health conditions in the world; it is estimated that 50–60% of people affected by thyroid disease in North America are not aware of their condition. Women are at increased risk, with 1 in 8 women affected by thyroid disorder during their lifetime. In Canada TSH is typically the only screening test done and our pathologic range is much larger than other countries. This means Canadians have to have more progressed thyroid imbalance before they get appropriate treatment. Testing individual thyroid hormones and thyroid antibodies together with TSH reduce the chance of a thyroid dysfunction being missed.

4. Fasting Insulin

Fasting blood sugar and average blood sugar (HbA1c) are commonly tested in Canada. High blood sugar can lead to type 2 diabetes (AKA Insulin resistant diabetes). Type 2 Diabetes is the 5th most prevalent chronic disease in Canada. However diabetes doesn’t happen overnight. It is often years, even decades in the making. Insulin is the hormone which brings blood sugar down. Our bodies will make high amounts of insulin to regulate elevated blood sugar until eventually our cells stop responding to insulin (AKA insulin resistance). Then blood sugar rises and we are diagnosed as diabetic. By testing insulin we can address diabetes risk earlier through nutrition and lifestyle modification and reduce disease risk. Insulin is also elevated in certain women’s health conditions like PCOS.

But what if my GP won’t requisition these tests? 

If your family doctor isn’t open to running these tests for you don’t worry, myself or any of our Naturopathic Doctors at Flourish can requisition them for you.

Want to learn more about which lab tests are most important for you? 

Book a Free 1:1 Discovery call now!

Intrigued but not ready for a Discovery Call?

Check out Flourishing Foundations Program Online On demand 

In Flourishing Foundations our Health Expert team go in depth and give you an extensive list of lab testing you should consider if you want to Flourish Your Health.

Always good vibes,

Dr. Ais

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6643201/
Disparities in Thyroid Screening and Medication Use in Quebec, Canada
Kathrin Stoll

Thyroid Foundation of Canada. About thyroid disease. 2015. Available at www.thyroid.ca/thyroid_disease.php

American Thyroid Association. General Information/Press Room. 2015. Available at www.thyroid.org/media-main/about-hypothyroidism

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/publications/diseases-conditions/prevalence-chronic-disease-risk-factors-canadians-aged-65-years-older.html