We’re not talking here about naturopathic doctors, who have to do a four-year classroom program. Our N.D naturopaths (graduates) need to analyse certain tests to better understand the patient’s medical portrait. What tests can they order, and then analyse?
In Quebec, unfortunately, almost all orders must go through a medical prescription. The naturopath’s patient must therefore ask his attending physician to have him pass the tests that the naturopath needs to do his job. We must see according to each country what is the legislation in force (and let us know if you want!)
Tests of Interest
In our Medicine, Tests and Emergencies course #214, we give you a detailed list of interesting tests to order for your future patients. Of course, a description of what to do with the results is also included!
Here are some of them:
- the pH Test
This one is well known: it involves measuring, using a urine test, the pH of the body. It is even possible to order sticks to test urine on Amazon! In terms of result: between 7 and 7.5, there is nothing to worry about. Of course, you have to take into account the person’s diet as well as the time at which they took their test. If the pH is too low for a 24 hour period, this is an index of acidosis – the body has to deal with excess acidity.
Indeed, you should know that the urinary pH varies slightly depending on the time of day (in the morning the first urine is always more acidic), depending on the diet, depending on physical activity, etc. To get a fairer picture, it is therefore important to take several readings during the day and to take an average. Going back to the numbers: A pH between 7 and 7.5 indicates a body in balance. At 6.5, your body is slightly acidic. And at 6 and under, it is very acidic.
- Zinc Analysis
How does this test work? We must drink a solution (also available online!) And the result depends on the taste he has for the patient in his mouth. Let me explain: if the solution tastes like water – this is a sign that there is a zinc deficiency in the patient. If, on the other hand, the taste is metallic and frankly not pleasant – the level of zinc in the body is normal. Pretty simple, right?
Some figures: Our body contains about 2 to 3g of zinc and about 7g of iron in normal times.
In Europe it is available on merchant sites like in England but you can also order it on US sites like on Amazon for example.
- Blood Test
This is an essential classic. However, as it was mentioned, it is not possible in Quebec for a person to go and do a blood vitamin test themselves in a laboratory without going through a medical prescription. And only a doctor can make such a prescription, a health practitioner (graduate of the PS800 program for example) cannot.
A person can go to their doctor and ask for such a prescription, but the doctor is free to accept or refuse. However, everyone has the right to have a copy of their exams and medical records. It is enough for him to claim them from his doctor, from analysis laboratories.
Fortunately, Course 214 details all of the elements to be analysed in the test result. In addition, the health practitioner, a graduate of the CMDQ for example, can refer to course 231 to analyse the emunctories to be unblocked: either the liver or the kidneys. Thus, effective solutions can be offered based on the patient’s symptoms.
Other Complementary Tests
- Complete Blood Count – this test measures three categories of blood cells: red blood cells (erythrocytes), white cells (leukocytes) and platelets. Blood counts provide parameters that specify how red blood cells work. We can thus diagnose anemia, for example.
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel – assesses a person’s metabolism, including the liver and kidneys. It also makes it possible to analyze whether there is diabetes or hypertension.
- C-Reactive Protein (inflammation marker) – To identify the presence of inflammation and monitor the response to treatment for an inflammatory disorder.
- HgA1c (diabetes marker)
- Cholesterol – this test allows you to analyse the total cholesterol / HDL cholesterol ratio, which helps to identify cardiovascular risk. The higher the ratio, the higher the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
- Hormones (DHEA, SHBG, Testosterone, Progesterone, Estrogen, FSH, LH, Cortisol),
- B12,
- Iodine,
- Ferritin (iron marker),
- Thyroid panel (TSH, T3, T4): the Hormones test. For example, if a malfunction of the thyroid gland is suspected, thyroid hormones will be measured.
We could also suggest:
- Indican Test – Certain countries like Holland offer it.
- Oxydata Test – measures the number of free radicals (oxidants) in the body. Thanks to this test, we can also measure the number of free radicals before and after antioxidant supplementation. In Quebec you can order the Oxydata test. In France, this type of analysis is not very developed, so there are relatively few laboratories that offer it on French soil.
- Chemstrip test;
- allergy tests;
- Patch tests and Prick tests- For example, in gluten intolerance, anti-transglutaminase antibodies are measured in the blood (then the diagnosis is confirmed by a histological analysis of an intestinal biopsy). In immediate hypersensitivities you can perform a prick test (these are skin tests) and for delayed allergies we use patch tests (these are also skin tests).
To Summarise
You can buy urine strips at any pharmacy that will detect the presence of sugar, blood, protein and nitrites in the urine. For further analysis, these are laboratory tests prescribed by the doctor. For the other tests, you must do research on the internet to order them abroad because they are not in principle easily found in France, for example.
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