Diagnostic Testing at 8 Wellness

Diagnostic testing is a cornerstone of naturopathic medicine and an essential part of personalized health care at 8 Wellness. Our naturopathic doctors use both conventional and functional diagnostic testing to better understand what is happening inside your body and to identify underlying imbalances that may be contributing to your symptoms.

Rather than guessing or relying solely on symptoms, diagnostic testing allows us to create targeted, evidence-informed treatment plans that address the root cause of health concerns, not just the surface-level presentation.

We offer diagnostic testing for patients in our Oakville clinic as well as virtual patients across Ontario.

Why Diagnostic Testing Matters

Many symptoms, such as fatigue, digestive issues, hormone imbalances, mood changes, or unexplained inflammation, can have multiple possible causes. Diagnostic testing helps narrow down why symptoms are occurring by providing objective information about your internal health.

Testing may help us assess:

1. Nutrient deficiencies or excesses
2. Hormone imbalances
3. Blood sugar and metabolic health
4. Digestive and gut microbiome function
5. Inflammation and immune activity
6. Stress response and adrenal function

This information allows your naturopathic doctor to recommend more precise nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle strategies tailored specifically to you.

Who Can Benefit From Diagnostic Testing?

Diagnostic testing may be appropriate if you are experiencing:

1. Chronic or recurring digestive symptoms
2. Low energy, fatigue, or burnout
3. Hormonal symptoms such as PMS, irregular cycles, or menopause concerns
4. Difficulty losing weight or blood sugar issues
5. Skin concerns like acne, eczema, or rashes
6. Brain fog, mood changes, or sleep disturbances
7. Recurrent infections or immune concerns

Testing can also be valuable for individuals who feel generally well but want a proactive and preventative approach to long-term health.

Types of Diagnostic Testing We Offer

At 8 Wellness, testing is always individualized. Below are the most common types of diagnostic testing we use in clinical practice.

Blood Testing

Blood testing provides insight into many foundational aspects of health. Depending on your needs, blood work may assess:

1. Iron and ferritin levels
2. Vitamin B12 and folate
3. Vitamin D
4. Magnesium
5. Omega 3’s
6. Cholesterol and lipid markers
7. Blood glucose and insulin markers
8. Thyroid function
9. Liver function
10. Kidney function
11. Cortisol (stress hormone)
12. Inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR)

Blood work requisitions can be taken to local laboratories such as LifeLabs or Dynacare, making testing accessible for Oakville and surrounding communities.

Food Sensitivity Testing

Food sensitivities develop over time and contribute to a variety of concerns, like inflammation, fatigue, joint pain, digestive issues, and brain fog. The RMA FST IgG Food Sensitivity test can help identify potential food sensitivities and take the guesswork out of your diet. We offer the following panels:

1. Basic food sensitivity panels
2. Vegetarian panels
3. Enhanced or expanded panels
4. Candida-related panels

Results are used to guide dietary adjustments that support healing while maintaining nutritional balance.

Hormone Testing

Hormones play a significant role in energy, mood, weight, sleep, stress resilience, and reproductive health. Hormone testing may assess:

1. Cortisol and adrenal stress patterns
2. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
3. DHEA
4. Melatonin

We often use saliva, urine, or dried urine hormone testing (such as DUTCH testing) to evaluate hormone patterns throughout the day rather than relying on a single snapshot.

Digestive & Gut Health Testing

Gut health influences digestion, immunity, inflammation, and even mental health. Stool testing may assess:

1. Beneficial and pathogenic bacteria
2. Yeast, viruses, parasites, and infections
3. H.Pylori
4. Digestive enzyme activity
5. Inflammation markers
6. Leaky gut
7. Gluten sensitivity
8. Gut immune function

These tests are particularly helpful for conditions and symptoms such as IBS, IBD, GERD, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, and food reactions. We offer GI MAP, GI360, GI Advanced, and the Comprehensive stool analysis with parasitology. These stool tests look at harmful bacteria, health-promoting bacteria, and your overall gut integrity.

Urine Testing

Urine-based testing provides valuable insight into metabolic and biochemical processes in the body. These tests may assess:

1. Organic acids (nutrient metabolism and mitochondrial function)
2. Cortisol rhythm and stress response
3. Neurotransmitter metabolites
4. Detoxification pathways

Urine testing is often helpful for fatigue, mood concerns, chronic stress, and complex or unexplained symptoms.

Specialty & Functional Testing

In certain cases, additional specialty testing may be recommended, including:

1. Environmental toxin exposure
2. Heavy metal testing
3. Advanced cardiometabolic markers
4. Other functional assessments based on clinical need

These tests are used selectively and only when they provide meaningful guidance for care.

Functional vs. Conventional Testing

We use both conventional and functional testing to gain a complete picture of health.

1. Conventional testing evaluates standard medical markers and reference ranges.
2. Functional testing looks at optimal ranges, patterns, and how systems are working together.

This combined approach allows us to identify imbalances earlier and create more personalized treatment strategies.

Virtual Diagnostic Testing Across Ontario

Many diagnostic testing services at 8 Wellness are available through virtual naturopathic care. If you live outside Oakville, we can:

1. Order lab requisitions valid across Ontario
2. Arrange at-home testing kits
3. Review results through secure virtual appointments

This allows patients throughout Ontario to access high-quality naturopathic diagnostic care.

Why Choose 8 Wellness for Diagnostic Testing in Oakville

1. Licensed and experienced Naturopathic Doctors
2. Root-cause, patient-centred approach
3. Access to advanced functional testing
4. Clear explanations and education
5. Integrated treatment plans based on results
6. In-clinic and virtual care options

Our goal is to help you feel informed, empowered, and confident about your health.