laboratory tests
Q: Do you offer laboratory tests?
A: Yes, we do! Please go here for more information about the laboratory tests that we offer.
Q: Can you request blood tests for me?
A: Yes, we can request blood tests for you, however, unlike getting a requisition from your MD, requisitions given by Naturopathic Doctors are not covered by OHIP and have to be paid for out of pocket or through extended insurance coverage.
Q: Can you give me a list of blood tests to get done so my MD can request them for me?
A: Yes, we can certainly recommend blood tests for you that we feel would be useful and go over why we think they would be useful for you (if you are a current patient and we have completed a comprehensive health assessment). However, if your MD is writing out your requisition, it is ultimately their decision regarding which blood tests to order, and they have to stand behind what they order, and be prepared to defend that decision, using their medical knowledge, should the situation ever arise. Therefore, due to the differences in how MDs and NDs are trained, your MD may not agree with your NDs test recommendations. In that case, it is best that you talk to your ND about any tests that your MD won't order, and discuss its importance in your diagnosis and treatment and any implications of doing vs. not doing the test.
Q: If having bloodwork done through you, where do I pay?
A: If having bloodwork done through us, we will give you a requisition with all requested tests checked off during your visit. Payment is due at the end of the visit, and all laboratory charges will be outlined and discussed with you in advance, and detailed on your invoice.
Q: Where do I go to have my blood collected?
A: You can go to any LifeLabs location in Ontario to have your blood collected. Simply bring your requisition with you and present it when entering any of their offices. You can book an appointment to have your blood collected or walk-in. For more information, please view their website: http://www.lifelabs.com/Lifelabs_ON/
Q: How do I do a specialized laboratory test? Where do I get the kit from?
A: If we are recommending that you have a specialized laboratory test done, after we discuss the implications of doing vs. not doing the test and what it would mean for you, you may choose to purchase a lab test collection kit from us. You can typically obtain these kits from any Naturopathic Doctor - they are only available through health professionals.
Once you have the kit, the sample is often collected at home or at LifeLabs and submitted to any LifeLabs location. Detailed collection instructions, as well as shipping instructions and materials are provided in your kit.
Q: I'm not sure if I'm collecting my sample properly for my laboratory test kit - help!
A: The instructions provided are very detailed, so be sure to read through all instructions prior to collection. If you have any additional questions after that, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Q: How do I send my sample to the lab?
A: Please drop off the completed lab test kit, along with your Lifelabs requisition and its shipping materials (all details filled out) to any LifeLabs location and they will arrange any further shipping if required. All prepaid shipping materials that you will require are also located in your test kit.
Q: How do I get my test results?
A: We will contact you once test results are in. At that time, an appointment can be scheduled so that we can go over the test results in detail as well as any new treatments or treatment changes that are necessary based on the information that the test results provide.
Q: How long does it take for test results to be ready?
A: It depends. Some test results (like conventional blood tests) are ready 1-3 days after blood collection while others (like stool profiles) can take up to 6 weeks. On average, most test results will be ready in 3-4 weeks from the day the sample is sent to the lab.
Q: Why can't I get my specialized laboratory testing done with my MD?
A: We don't have a complete answer to this question. It would be a great question to ask your MD! From what we understand, many tests are being removed from OHIP coverage, with the amount increasing each year rather than having tests added to OHIP coverage. Even the blood test for Vitamin D, which was previously covered, now has to be paid for out of pocket. With such low sun exposure in Canada leading many of us to have deficient vitamin D levels, the importance of this test cannot be overstated. Yet, it is not covered. If such an important test is deemed to be unimportant to be covered, we clearly cannot use OHIP coverage as a way to deduce to importance and usefulness of a test.
Furthermore, as MDs are typically not heavily trained in clinical nutrition, many nutritional tests are not emphasized.
A: Yes, we do! Please go here for more information about the laboratory tests that we offer.
Q: Can you request blood tests for me?
A: Yes, we can request blood tests for you, however, unlike getting a requisition from your MD, requisitions given by Naturopathic Doctors are not covered by OHIP and have to be paid for out of pocket or through extended insurance coverage.
Q: Can you give me a list of blood tests to get done so my MD can request them for me?
A: Yes, we can certainly recommend blood tests for you that we feel would be useful and go over why we think they would be useful for you (if you are a current patient and we have completed a comprehensive health assessment). However, if your MD is writing out your requisition, it is ultimately their decision regarding which blood tests to order, and they have to stand behind what they order, and be prepared to defend that decision, using their medical knowledge, should the situation ever arise. Therefore, due to the differences in how MDs and NDs are trained, your MD may not agree with your NDs test recommendations. In that case, it is best that you talk to your ND about any tests that your MD won't order, and discuss its importance in your diagnosis and treatment and any implications of doing vs. not doing the test.
Q: If having bloodwork done through you, where do I pay?
A: If having bloodwork done through us, we will give you a requisition with all requested tests checked off during your visit. Payment is due at the end of the visit, and all laboratory charges will be outlined and discussed with you in advance, and detailed on your invoice.
Q: Where do I go to have my blood collected?
A: You can go to any LifeLabs location in Ontario to have your blood collected. Simply bring your requisition with you and present it when entering any of their offices. You can book an appointment to have your blood collected or walk-in. For more information, please view their website: http://www.lifelabs.com/Lifelabs_ON/
Q: How do I do a specialized laboratory test? Where do I get the kit from?
A: If we are recommending that you have a specialized laboratory test done, after we discuss the implications of doing vs. not doing the test and what it would mean for you, you may choose to purchase a lab test collection kit from us. You can typically obtain these kits from any Naturopathic Doctor - they are only available through health professionals.
Once you have the kit, the sample is often collected at home or at LifeLabs and submitted to any LifeLabs location. Detailed collection instructions, as well as shipping instructions and materials are provided in your kit.
Q: I'm not sure if I'm collecting my sample properly for my laboratory test kit - help!
A: The instructions provided are very detailed, so be sure to read through all instructions prior to collection. If you have any additional questions after that, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Q: How do I send my sample to the lab?
A: Please drop off the completed lab test kit, along with your Lifelabs requisition and its shipping materials (all details filled out) to any LifeLabs location and they will arrange any further shipping if required. All prepaid shipping materials that you will require are also located in your test kit.
Q: How do I get my test results?
A: We will contact you once test results are in. At that time, an appointment can be scheduled so that we can go over the test results in detail as well as any new treatments or treatment changes that are necessary based on the information that the test results provide.
Q: How long does it take for test results to be ready?
A: It depends. Some test results (like conventional blood tests) are ready 1-3 days after blood collection while others (like stool profiles) can take up to 6 weeks. On average, most test results will be ready in 3-4 weeks from the day the sample is sent to the lab.
Q: Why can't I get my specialized laboratory testing done with my MD?
A: We don't have a complete answer to this question. It would be a great question to ask your MD! From what we understand, many tests are being removed from OHIP coverage, with the amount increasing each year rather than having tests added to OHIP coverage. Even the blood test for Vitamin D, which was previously covered, now has to be paid for out of pocket. With such low sun exposure in Canada leading many of us to have deficient vitamin D levels, the importance of this test cannot be overstated. Yet, it is not covered. If such an important test is deemed to be unimportant to be covered, we clearly cannot use OHIP coverage as a way to deduce to importance and usefulness of a test.
Furthermore, as MDs are typically not heavily trained in clinical nutrition, many nutritional tests are not emphasized.
