For years and years, you’ve probably heard of having an annual physical examination with your family medical doctor – this includes blood work, physical examination & other assessments to help track your health progress. If you have already been diagnosed with a condition then you may have a standing requisition to complete blood work every few months or so.  How often do you have blood work & a physical examination completed? Have you been informed to wait 3-5 years before you can have blood work completed? Do you wish you could try and prevent, without guarantee, a condition that may impact your future health?

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The healthcare landscape has changed in Canada – and it looks like it will keep changing. So, with this change we need to adapt. Our healthcare system is experiencing pressure in trying to serve those that are in dire need for medical support due to life-threatening conditions. On the other hand, there is a large population that is really trying to prevent getting to that point of no return with the desire to be more proactive about their health.  

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Naturopathic doctors have the ability & knowledge to order blood work from a more proactive standpoint. When we look at reference ranges for blood markers, often, there is no action until the numbers become abnormal. And, you are probably seeking naturopathic care if you feel like there is something that may be off already, but your blood work is coming back normal – so what now? One thing we need to remember, is that NORMAL DOES NOT EQUAL OPTIMAL.

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Reference ranges are created with population statistics of individuals with a variety of health conditions. But, we also have different bodies so how can we compare reference ranges for our own health to that of a population with maybe zero or eve many health conditions? Our body works as a unit, not individual parts. It does as much as possible to maintain balance and to protect us. Our bodies are incredibly resilient. Symptoms are signs that their may be something off. 

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• Painful periods – common, but not normal

• Joint pain – common, but not normal

• Indigestion – common, but not normal

• Skin rashes – common, but not normal

• Anxiety & Depression – common, but not normal

• And the list of symptoms can go on…normal does not mean optimal

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If you know you have a family history of heart disease for example, blood work can help to track progression of cardiometabolic health by testing some extra markers to see where you stand today. Although there is never a way to 100% guarantee prevention of any condition, it is probably better to know that your markers are trending off “normal” and that a problem may occur if not addressed, rather than waiting for that number to surpass an upper limit and then wishing you would have known sooner. 

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We are all different and Naturopathic Medicine promotes individualized care. If you want to know where you are at today, Naturopathic Medicine may be able to help you learn about your health.