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Mon-Sat 10am-3pm Phone416-490-8243225 Duncan Mill RoadToronto, Ontario M3B3K9
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DoctorShawn
20/May/2024
CholesterolDiabetesDiagnosisEndocrineHealthHormonesImmuneIronmens healthNaturopathicperformancePreventionTestTestosteroneThyroidWellnessWomens Health

My Top 5 Tests/Panels for All New Patients

Ensuring optimal health and wellness requires a proactive approach. As a healthcare provider, I always recommend a series of comprehensive tests and panels for all new patients. These tests offer invaluable insights into various aspects of your health, enabling personalized care and early detection of potential issues. Here are my top five recommended tests and panels:

1. LifeLabs: Enhanced Healthy Living Assessment Panel

Overview:

The Enhanced Healthy Living Assessment Panel from LifeLabs is a comprehensive screening tool designed to offer a holistic view of your overall health. It includes a broad spectrum of tests that evaluate critical factors such as blood glucose levels, cholesterol, liver function, kidney function, and more.

Why It’s Crucial:

This panel serves as a foundational health check, identifying any imbalances or abnormalities that could affect your long-term wellness. By getting a detailed snapshot of various biomarkers, we can tailor a health plan specifically designed for your needs.

What It Tests For:

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC)
  • Lipid Profile (Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides)
  • Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST, ALP, Bilirubin)
  • Kidney Function (Creatinine, eGFR)
  • Blood Glucose Levels
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin B12

Benefits:

  • Early detection of health issues
  • Comprehensive understanding of your current health status
  • Benchmark data for future comparisons

2. LifeLabs: Female/Male Hormone Panel

Overview:

Hormones play a pivotal role in regulating numerous bodily functions, including metabolism, reproductive health, and mood. The Female/Male Hormone Panel from LifeLabs is designed to assess hormone levels, helping to identify imbalances that could be affecting your health.

Why It’s Crucial:

Hormonal imbalances can lead to a variety of health issues, including fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and fertility problems. This panel provides a detailed analysis of key hormones, enabling targeted interventions that can help restore balance.

What It Tests For:

  • Testosterone
  • Estrogen (Estradiol)
  • Progesterone
  • Cortisol
  • Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Benefits:

  • Identification of hormonal imbalances
  • Personalized treatment plans for hormonal health
  • Improved overall well-being

3. RMA: Food Sensitivity IgG Panel

Overview:

The Food Sensitivity IgG Panel from Rocky Mountain Analytical (RMA) tests for IgG antibodies to identify potential food sensitivities. Unlike immediate allergic reactions (IgE), IgG-mediated reactions can cause delayed symptoms, making them harder to pinpoint.

Why It’s Crucial:

Food sensitivities can lead to chronic inflammation, digestive issues, and other health problems. Identifying and eliminating trigger foods can significantly improve your quality of life and alleviate a range of symptoms.

What It Tests For:

  • Over 200 common foods, including dairy, grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables

Benefits:

  • Identification of trigger foods causing adverse reactions
  • Alleviation of chronic symptoms like bloating, headaches, and fatigue
  • Enhanced digestive health and overall well-being

4. LifeLabs: Apolipoprotein B

Overview:

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) is a protein involved in lipid metabolism and is a key marker for cardiovascular risk. Elevated ApoB levels are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Why It’s Crucial:

Traditional lipid profiles may not provide a complete picture of cardiovascular risk. Measuring ApoB offers a more accurate assessment, particularly for individuals with normal LDL cholesterol but still at risk for heart disease.

What It Tests For:

  • Apolipoprotein B levels

Benefits:

  • More accurate cardiovascular risk assessment
  • Personalized strategies for heart disease prevention
  • Improved cardiovascular health

5. Mosaic Diagnostics: Organic Acids Test

Overview:

The Organic Acids Test (OAT) from Mosaic Diagnostics examines metabolic byproducts in urine, offering insights into various aspects of your health, including mitochondrial function, neurotransmitter levels, and gut health.

Why It’s Crucial:

OAT provides a comprehensive overview of metabolic health, identifying issues that might not be apparent through traditional blood tests. It can uncover underlying factors contributing to chronic conditions, fatigue, and mood disorders.

What It Tests For:

  • Metabolic markers
  • Neurotransmitter metabolites
  • Gut dysbiosis markers
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Benefits:

  • Identification of metabolic imbalances
  • Tailored nutritional and lifestyle interventions
  • Enhanced energy levels and mental clarity

Conclusion

These top five tests and panels offer a thorough examination of key health areas, providing a solid foundation for personalized care. By investing in these assessments, you are taking proactive steps toward achieving optimal health and well-being.

Ready to take control of your health? Schedule your tests today and embark on a journey toward a healthier, happier you. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further guidance.

Call to Action

For more information or to book your tests, contact us at s.meirovici@physio-logic.com or call 416-490-8243 . Your health is our priority!

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DoctorShawn
23/Oct/2023
EndocrineHormonesNaturopathicNutritionThyroid

Understanding Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Treatment

Our thyroid gland plays a vital role in our body’s functioning and metabolism. If we experience an abnormality in this gland, it can result in various disorders, including hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a medical condition where the thyroid gland fails to produce an adequate amount of thyroid hormone. However, subclinical hypothyroidism is an early-stage of hypothyroidism that often goes unnoticed. In this blog post, we will shed light on what subclinical hypothyroidism is, its symptoms, and treatment strategies.

What is Subclinical Hypothyroidism?

In subclinical hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormone than usual, resulting in a slightly elevated TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) level. TSH is a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland in response to the thyroid gland’s hormone levels. It helps in regulating the thyroid hormone production. In subclinical hypothyroidism, the thyroid hormone levels are still within the normal range, although at the lower end. Subclinical hypothyroidism often goes unnoticed as it does not cause any identifiable symptoms.

Symptoms of Subclinical Hypothyroidism

In most cases, subclinical hypothyroidism does not cause any specific symptoms. However, some people may experience subtle signs such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, constipation, and irregular menstrual cycles. These symptoms may not necessarily be related to the thyroid gland, hence making it challenging to diagnose subclinical hypothyroidism.

Treatment Strategies for Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Subclinical hypothyroidism does not always require treatment. However, treatment may be recommended in certain cases, such as when the patient experiences symptoms or if TSH levels are very high. The following are some treatment strategies that are commonly used:

Thyroid Hormone

Both T3 and T4 thyroid hormone can be used to increase the low thyroid hormone levels. It’s essential to follow the doctor’s prescribed dosage as taking more than required can lead to unpleasant side effects.

Lifestyle changes

A healthy lifestyle can have a significant impact on thyroid hormones. Quitting smoking, sticking to a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can help in managing subclinical hypothyroidism.

Iodine

As a Naturopathic Doctor, it’s important to highlight the vital role iodine plays in managing subclinical hypothyroidism. Iodine is a key component of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, growth, and development. In the case of subclinical hypothyroidism, an individual’s thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and depression.

The daily recommended intake of iodine for adults is 150 micrograms (mcg). Consuming adequate iodine can help stimulate the production of thyroid hormones, potentially alleviating symptoms of subclinical hypothyroidism. Foods rich in iodine include seaweed, fish, dairy products, and iodized salt. Supplements are also available for those struggling to meet their iodine requirements through diet alone.

Incorporating these iodine-rich foods into one’s diet could be as simple as eating a piece of seaweed as a snack, incorporating fish into meals a couple of times a week, or using iodized salt when cooking. If considering supplements, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider first to ensure safe and beneficial usage.

Iodine improves subclinical hypothyroidism by providing the necessary raw material for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. When the thyroid gland has sufficient iodine, it can produce the right amount of hormones to maintain normal metabolism, thus preventing the progression of subclinical hypothyroidism to overt hypothyroidism and other complications.

However, too much iodine intake can pose health risks, such as iodine-induced hyperthyroidism or goiter. It is therefore important to stick to the recommended daily intake and to consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen. Balancing iodine intake can optimize thyroid function and improve overall health, but it needs to be done safely and under professional guidance.

For more on iodine rich foods Click Here

Regular monitoring

Since subclinical hypothyroidism may not cause any symptoms, regularly monitoring TSH levels can help in detecting any changes and taking necessary action.

For more information on when to check your blood Click Here

In conclusion, subclinical hypothyroidism is an early stage of hypothyroidism that often goes unnoticed due to a lack of any symptoms. It is important to have regular health check-ups and blood tests to detect any abnormalities in thyroid hormone levels. If diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism, following a healthy lifestyle and keeping an eye on TSH levels can aid in managing the condition. However, if symptoms arise, it is essential to seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

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dr_shawn

Patient focused integrative health care. Utilizing effective natural approaches designed to be used alone or to compliment conventional medical care.


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