Yes, in fact, Naturopathic Doctors can order blood screening tests and can order virtually any blood test that a medical doctor can order and can even order additional testing that is not routinely offered by medical doctors. However, blood tests are an out of pocket expense when seeing a Naturopathic Doctor, whereas the blood tests are covered by public health insurance when being ordered by a medical doctor in Ontario.
The Role of Naturopathic Doctors in Comprehensive Blood Screening and Preventive Health
So, as a naturopathic doctor, when ordering blood screening tests, I will first advise patients to ask their MDs to order the testing and then, if the testing cannot be accomplished by the MD, it can be requested by me. At times when medical doctors order blood tests, it may not be comprehensive enough, or as a patient, you may be inclined to learn more about your health, or even be interested in disease prevention and this is where additional testing by a naturopathic doctor may provide invaluable insights.
In the health care profession, it is well established that blood screening tests play a crucial role in the prevention, diagnosis and management of chronic diseases.
Some tests are not routinely run in the medical system despite the fact that the results may provide useful insights
Unique and Holistic Blood Screening Approaches in Naturopathic Medicine
There is often a significant overlap between the blood screen tests that I typically order as a naturopathic doctor and those routinely ordered by medical doctors. These tests might include an assessment of the red and white blood cells, or testing blood sugars or performing a cholesterol panel. However, there are many cases when, as a naturopathic doctor, I regard certain tests to be important to provide more holistic or preventative insights into a patient's health and their medical doctors refrain from ordering them.
Some tests that are not routinely run in the medical system despite the fact that the results may provide useful insights and are more routinely ordered by naturopathic doctors include, cortisol, thyroid antibodies and vitamin D. And in a recent study researchers found that Complete blood counts, serum chemistries, lipids panels and stool analyses were ordered for 4% to 10% of visits to naturopathic doctors.
Can NDs order blood tests? | Yes. Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario can order most of the same blood tests as MDs, plus additional functional and preventative tests. |
|---|---|
Recommended Approach | Patients are encouraged to ask their MD to order tests first. Any additional or declined tests can then be ordered by the ND. |
Commonly Ordered by Both NDs & MDs | CBC (Complete Blood Count), Blood Sugar (Fasting Glucose, A1c), Lipid Panel (Cholesterol) |
Frequently Ordered by NDs | Vitamin D Deficiency is common; it supports bone, immune & cancer prevention. Thyroid Antibodies can detect early thyroid dysfunction. Cortisol plays a key role in understanding the stress response and weight issues. |
Why These Tests Matter | These additional tests can help with early detection, prevention and personalized treatment planning beyond conventional screening. |
The Value of Vitamin D, Thyroid Antibodies and Cortisol Testing in Naturopathic Blood Screening
As naturopathic doctors, performing a blood test screen for Vitamin D levels can be very important, especially when prioritizing disease prevention. Many Canadians are deficient in Vitamin D as recent studies have found that vitamin D deficiency can be as high as 20% of the Canadian population. And it is well established that Vitamin D is involved with the prevention of many chronic inflammatory conditions, bone disease and cancer.
Additionally, thyroid antibodies are rarely assessed by the medical system; however, in naturopathic medicine, it is well established that even when other thyroid parameters are normal, the elevation of these antibodies indicates a disease process and can be associated with symptoms related to thyroid function.
In naturopathic medicine, assessing and treating thyroid antibodies is an important feature of a holistic assessment of the function of the thyroid gland and it is an important data point in the establishment of an individually tailored naturopathic treatment plan. And, cortisol can be accurately measured as a part of a routine naturopathic blood screening test. Cortisol is a hormone that is produced in the face of ongoing stress and when this hormone gets too high or when it goes too low it can have problematic effects on how the mind and body respond to stress and how we feel when stress arises and it can even be an often underestimated factor in weight gain or in the inability to lose weight. Cortisol is easy to test through the blood and whether it is found to be too high or too low, through the use of naturopathic therapeutics, cortisol levels can be normalized.
Naturopathic doctors can uncover subtle imbalances and these insights can play a critical role in optimizing long-term health and preventing chronic disease
The Individualized and Preventive Benefits of Naturopathic Blood Screening
While there is often overlap between the tests ordered by medical doctors and naturopathic doctors, the naturopathic approach to blood screening tests can offer a more individualized and preventative lens. By incorporating more individualized and comprehensive tests such as vitamin D, thyroid antibodies and cortisol, naturopathic doctors can uncover subtle imbalances that may otherwise go undetected.
These insights can play a crucial role in optimizing long-term health, preventing chronic diseases and informing personalized treatment plans. For patients seeking a deeper understanding of their health or looking to fill the gaps in conventional testing, naturopathic blood screening provides a valuable and complementary perspective. If you're curious about your blood test results or interested in a more complete picture of your health, book a discovery appointment today to learn how blood screen testing by a naturopathic doctor can support your health care goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) in Ontario order blood tests?
Yes, NDs in Ontario can order most of the same blood tests as medical doctors, as well as additional functional and preventative tests. However, tests ordered by NDs are typically not covered by public health insurance and are paid out of pocket by the patient.
What are the most common blood tests ordered by NDs?
Commonly ordered tests include a Complete Blood Count (CBC), fasting glucose and A1c (blood sugar levels), lipid panel (cholesterol levels), vitamin D, thyroid antibodies and cortisol. These provide insights into general health, disease prevention, and stress response.
Why would I choose to have blood tests ordered by a Naturopathic Doctor instead of a Medical Doctor?
NDs often take a more holistic and preventive approach, ordering additional tests (such as vitamin D, thyroid antibodies and cortisol) that MDs may not routinely offer. This can help uncover subtle imbalances and support personalized treatment plans.
Are there any limitations to the tests that NDs can order in Ontario?
While NDs have access to a broad range of tests, there are regulatory limits and some specialized tests may not be available through Ontario licensed labs. It's always best to consult your ND to determine which tests are accessible.
How should I approach getting blood tests through my ND?
Patients are encouraged to ask their MD to order standard tests first (which are covered by public insurance). Any additional or declined tests can then be ordered by the ND for a fee, ensuring a comprehensive and individualized assessment.
Conclusion
Naturopathic blood screening offers a unique and comprehensive approach to understanding your health. By combining conventional tests with additional markers like vitamin D, thyroid antibodies and cortisol, NDs can provide early detection of imbalances, support disease prevention and tailor treatment plans to your individual needs. While there is overlap with standard medical testing, the naturopathic approach emphasizes prevention, holistic care and personalized health optimization, empowering you to take charge of your well being.
