About Naturopathic Medicine & Frequently Asked Questions
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a patient-centred approach to healthcare with over 125 years of use in North America in the prevention and treatment of disease and optimization of overall health. In Ontario, the practice of Naturopathic Medicine is regulated by The College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
The 6 basic tenets of Naturopathic Medicine:
first, do no harm ( primum non nocere )
identify and treat the causes ( tolle causam )
doctor as teacher ( docere )
treat the whole person
emphasize prevention
support the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae)
to learn more about naturopathic medicine, visit www.oand.org or www.cand.ca
How are NDs trained?
Naturopathic Doctors are highly trained professionals specializing in the practice of natural medicine to support and stimulate healing processes. ND is a protected title granted to only those with the education and qualifications to meet the standards set out by The College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
All licensed NDs obtain a total of 7-8 years of post-secondary education with at least 3 years of university-level education and an additional 4 years post-graduate training at an accredited Naturopathic Medical school where they are trained to medically diagnosis using physical exam, conventional laboratory testing, and clinical case-taking. NDs are also trained to use specialized labs tests such as food sensitivity testing, salivary and urinary hormone testing, neurotransmitter metabolite testing, and more.
What do Naturopathic Doctors do?
Naturopathic doctors investigate, diagnose, and treat patients with a patient-centered approach utilizing a variety of natural modalities such as clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, mind-body medicine, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and more. The combination of treatments recommended to each patient is highly individualized and carefully selected based on the entirety of the patient’s health concerns, medical history, and goals. Treatment emphasizes both acute relief of symptoms as well as preventative self-care and long-term positive health outcomes.
Conduct a complete initial Naturopathic assessment, taking the time necessary to collect all relevant information
Thoroughly investigate the underlying cause of the patient’s condition, to understand the ‘why,’ rather than focusing solely on symptomatic treatment
Order conventional blood and lab tests as well as alternative naturopathic testing
Always choose best medicine practices, referring when appropriate for biomedical care or pharmaceutical intervention when in patient’s best interest
Cooperate with other branches of medical science, encouraging integrative care
What are evidence-based approaches?
Evidence-based approaches include treatments that are supported by the best available clinical and scientific evidence combined with the patient’s needs and values, for the best outcome. The personalized therapies, strategies, and guidance are chosen conscientiously combining scientific research and traditional medicine teachings to prioritize safety and efficacy while remaining true to Naturopathic principles of identifying the root cause and treating the whole person.
Are Naturopathic Doctors able to order blood tests and other diagnostic tests?
Yes, Naturopathic Doctors licensed in the province of Ontario under CONO are able to offer a broad array of testing through blood, saliva, hair, and urine. Sometimes patients already have a sense of what tests they would like to help investigate their health concerns. If you are unsure if your Naturopath can order these tests book a complementary discovery call or email Dr. Graham ND directly at jaclyn@drgrahamnd.com.
Comprehensive List of Tests Offered:
Under the regulations made under the LSCCLA, a naturopath is authorized to requisition the collection of specimens from patients in a specimen collection centre or laboratory. The authority is limited to the following 194 tests and are not covered by OHIP.
Tests Performed on Blood:
1. 17-OH-Progesterone.
2. 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
3. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ACTH.
4. Alanine Transaminase (ALT, SGPT).
5. Albumin, qualitative.
6. Aldosterone.
7. Allergen Specific IgG Antibody.
8. Allergy testing (ELISA).
9. Allergy testing (IgE specific, RAST).
10. Alpha tocopherol – Vitamin E.
11. Amino Acids – Total Fractionation.
12. Ammonia.
13. Amylase.
14. Androstenedione.
15. Antibody Screening Food IgG.
16. Antibody Screening IgA.
17. Antibody Screening IgM.
18. Antigen Leukocyte Antibody.
19. Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH).
20. Anti-Nuclear Antibody.
21. Anti-Parietal Cell Antibody.
22. Anti-Reticulin Antibodies.
23. Apolipoprotein A1.
24. Apolipoprotein B.
25. Ascorbic Acid (ascorbate) Vitamin C.
26. Aspartate Transaminase.
27. Beta-Carotene (Carotene).
28. Bilirubin (total, total conjugated, unconjugated, direct and indirect).
29. Blood Group ABO and RhD.
30. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN).
31. Bun / Creatinine Ratio.
32. CA125.
33. CA15-3.
34. Calcium, Calcium ionized.
35. Candida Antibodies (IgM, IgG, IgA).
36. Carbon Dioxide Bicarbonate.
37. Carcinoembryonic Antigen.
38. Ceruloplasmin.
39. Chloride.
40. Cholinesterase, pseudo or true.
41. Coenzyme Q10.
42. Complement proteins – C3 (B1C) and Complement proteins – C4 (B1E).
43. Complete Blood Count.
44. Copper.
45. Cortisol – bound and unbound, no differentiation.
46. C-peptide immunoreactivity.
47. C-Reactive Protein (CRP).
48. C-Reactive Protein – High Sensitivity.
49. Creatine Phosphokinase.
50. Creatinine.
51. Creatinine Clearance.
52. Cystathionine.
53. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS).
54. Digitalis purpurea (digoxin).
55. Electrophoresis – including total protein.
56. Endomysial Antibody.
57. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) (Sedimentation Rate).
58. Estradiol.
59. Estriol.
60. Estrogen.
61. Estrone.
62. Fatty acids, free.
63. Ferritin.
64. Fibrinogen semi-quantitative and quantitative.
65. Folate.
66. FSH.
67. Galectin 3.
68. Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) / GG transpeptidase (GGTP).
69. Gliadin Antibodies (IgG, IgA).
70. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR).
71. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-6-PD).
72. Glucose, quantitative.
73. Glucose Tolerance Test.
74. Glutathione.
75. Hemoglobin – A1C.
76. Homocysteine.
77. Histocompatibility Testing – HLA 27 typing.
78. Immunoglobulin (globulin).
79. Insulin, Fasting and Non-fasting.
80. Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1.
81. Intrinsic Factor Blocking Antibody.
82. Iron, total – with iron binding capacity and per cent saturation.
83. Islet Cell Cytoplasmic Autoantibody.
84. Lactate dehydrogenase.
85. Lactate, Lactic Acid.
86. Lead.
87. Leptin.
88. Lipase.
89. Luteinizing Hormone.
90. Lyme Disease Antibodies.
91. Magnesium.
92. Memory Lymphocyte Immuno-Stimulation Assay (MELISA Test).
93. Mercury.
94. Mononuclear Heterophile Antibodies (Monospot).
95. Natriuretic Peptide – Brain (BNP).
96. Parathyroid hormone.
97. PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls).
98. Phosphatase, alkaline.
99. Phosphorus (inorganic phosphate).
100. Potassium.
101. Pregnenolone.
102. Progesterone.
103. Prolactin.
104. Protein, Total (albumin / globulin ratio).
105. Prothrombin time and International Normalized Ratio (INR).
106. PSA, Ratio.
107. Reticulocyte count.
108. Retinol, Vitamin A.
109. Reverse T3.
110. Rheumatoid factor.
111. S-adenosylhomocysteine.
112. S-adenosyl methionine.
113. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG).
114. Sodium.
115. Testosterone.
116. Testosterone, free.
117. Thyroglobulin.
118. Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody.
119. Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI).
120. Thyroxine Free (FT4).
121. Total Cholesterol panel – HDL / LDL / lipoprotein phenotyping (includes sample appearance, cholesterol, triglycerides, Lipopro VLDL cholesterol [calculated estimate]).
122. Trace Minerals.
123. Transferrin.
124. Transglutaminase IgA Antibody.
125. Trichlorobenzene.
126. Triiodothyronine Free (T3).
127. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).
128. Uric Acid (Urate).
129. Vitamin B (all tests).
130. Vitamin D 1,25-dihydroxy.
131. Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy.
132. Volatile solvents.
133. Zinc.
Tests Performed on Stool:
134. Bacteria / yeast (microbiology profile).
135. Calprotectin Fecal.
136. Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis.
137. Elastase.
138. Fecal Fat.
139. Occult Blood.
140. Parasites and Ova.
Tests Performed on Urine:
141. 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
142. Aldosterone.
143. Bilirubin (total, total conjugated, unconjugated, direct and indirect).
144. Bisphenol A.
145. Calcium, Calcium ionized.
146. Chlorinated pesticides.
147. Cortisol – bound and unbound, no differentiation.
148. Cortisol / Cortisone.
149. Creatinine Clearance.
150. Cultures – urine, screening, actual culture without identification.
151. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS).
152. Estradiol.
153. Estriol.
154. Estrogen.
155. Estrone.
156. Human Growth Hormone.
157. Luteinizing Hormone.
158. Melatonin.
159. Oxytocin.
160. Porphyrins, screen.
161. Progesterone.
162. Routine Urinalysis (glucose, blood, ketone, leukocytes, etc.)
163. Testosterone.
164. Testosterone, free.
165. Thyroid hormones.
166. Toxic Metals.
167. Uric acid (urate).
168. Urinary Organic Acid Test.
Tests Performed on Saliva:
169. 17-OH-Progesterone.
170. 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
171. Aldosterone.
172. Androstenedione.
173. Cortisol – bound and unbound, no differentiation.
174. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS).
175. Esterol.
176. Estradiol.
177. Estriol.
178. Estrogen.
179. Estrone.
180. Melatonin.
181. Progesterone.
182. Testosterone.
183. Testosterone, free.
Tests Performed on Hair:
184. Heavy Metal – hair element analysis.
Tests Performed on Tissue/Discharge/Sputum:
185. Culture – throat swab for streptococcus screen only.
186. Culture and sensitivities (other swabs or pus – culture and smear [includes screening]).
187. Culture and sensitivities (sputum – culture and smear).
188. Nail and skin cultures.
189. Nasal swabs (other swabs or pus – culture and smear [includes screening]).
190. Pap smear (smear only, gram or Papanicolaou stain as sole procedure).
191. Seminal fluid examination (complete).
Tests Performed on Breath:
192. Hydrogen breath test.
193. Intestinal permeability test.
194. Urea breath test for H. pylori.
(Reference: R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 683 (Specimen Collection Centres), subsection 5(d), paragraph v; Appendix A.)