LABORATORY, DIAGNOSTIC & FUNCTIONAL TESTING

Let's look beyond the obvious.

Sometimes standard bloodwork doesn't fully explain how you feel. Laboratory and functional testing can help us explore the bigger picture — looking at additional markers, patterns and areas that may deserve a closer look.

Testing is individualized to your health history, symptoms and goals, helping us gather more information and make more informed decisions about your care.

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A CLOSER LOOK

Normal results don’t always tell the whole story.

Standard laboratory testing provides important information about your health — but it may not answer every question.

When symptoms persist, we can take a closer look. Depending on your health history and concerns, this may include additional bloodwork, more comprehensive testing or specialized functional testing to explore factors that may be contributing to how you feel.

The goal is to gather more of the information we need to understand your individual health picture and make more informed decisions about your care.

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Types of testing

There’s more than one way to look deeper.

Routine bloodwork and functional testing provide different kinds of information. We use them individually or together depending on what we’re investigating.

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Routine Bloodwork

As part of your naturopathic care, we can order routine bloodwork including blood counts, iron and ferritin, thyroid testing, blood sugar, cholesterol, liver and kidney markers, hormones, nutrient levels and more.

This can also provide access to important laboratory testing for patients who do not currently have a family physician.

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Functional & Specialty Tests

FFunctional and specialty testing allows us to investigate certain areas of your health in greater detail than routine bloodwork alone. Depending on what we’re exploring, this may include comprehensive hormone testing, digestive function testing, food sensitivity testing, nutritional and metabolic testing, genetic testing and more.

These tests don’t replace routine laboratory testing. They can add another layer of information that we consider alongside your symptoms, health history and conventional lab results. In many cases, it’s this additional information that helps us better understand the bigger picture behind your health concerns.

FAQ

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A few things patients often want to know about laboratory and functional testing.

Yes. As part of your naturopathic care, we can order many routine laboratory tests, including blood counts, iron and ferritin, thyroid testing, blood sugar, cholesterol, liver and kidney markers, hormones, nutrient levels and more.

Laboratory testing ordered by naturopathic doctors in British Columbia is paid for privately and is not covered by MSP.

Laboratory results are one part of your clinical picture. We consider them alongside your symptoms, health history, lifestyle and the mind-body connection — including how factors such as stress, sleep and emotional well-being may be influencing how you feel.

When appropriate, additional bloodwork or functional and specialty testing may provide another layer of information, helping us better understand the bigger picture behind your health concerns.

Functional and specialty testing refers to additional laboratory testing that may allow us to investigate certain areas of your health in greater detail. Depending on what we’re exploring, this may include comprehensive hormone testing, digestive function testing, food sensitivity testing, nutritional and metabolic testing, genetic testing and more.

Not always. Testing is offered when it's likely to clarify the picture or shape your care — not as a routine first step for everyone.

Laboratory testing ordered by a naturopathic doctor in British Columbia is not covered by MSP. Patients are responsible for the cost of laboratory testing ordered as part of their naturopathic care. We’ll discuss recommended testing and associated costs with you before proceeding.

Coverage varies by insurance provider and individual plan. We recommend checking directly with your extended health provider to determine whether laboratory testing is included in your benefits.

Still have questions?

Ask us directly — we're happy to talk through whether testing makes sense for you.

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Next step

Ready to take a closer look?

If you’re still looking for answers, start with a consultation. We’ll review your health history, symptoms and previous testing, then discuss whether additional laboratory or functional testing may help us better understand the bigger picture.

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