Naturopathic Medicine & Testing

Naturopathic medicine is a primary-care system that emphasizes illness prevention while promoting our inherent self-healing capability.  By approaching each patient as a unique individual, naturopathic doctors strive to address the underlying causes of disease, not just the symptoms. 

FIRST PLACE winner of the 2021 and 2022 TriCity A-List Awards for Naturopathic Medicine

Treatments combine research-based scientific knowledge with traditional, natural therapies to stimulate the healing power of the body.  Naturopathic medicine treats people of all ages, and can address both chronic and acute (recent) illnesses.

Areas of Focus

Supporting patients undergoing conventional treatments (side effect reduction/management, low blood counts, supplement safety during treatments), cancer prevention, immune support, post-treatment care.  Dr. Boudreau & Dr. Lee focus on integrative/adjunctive cancer care in tandem with conventional treatment.

Gynecological cancer treatment support, fertility, prenatal planning, pregnancy support, PMS & cramps, menopause & hot flashes, etc.

Prostate health, decreased libido, general health & fitness, fertility, etc.

Frequent colds & ear infections, allergies, eczema

Constipation/diarrhea, IBS, heartburn/reflux, bloating, SIBO, Food sensitivities.

Mood concerns affecting energy levels, sleep, digestion, and overall health

Headaches, muscle/nerve/joint pain, acute and chronic injuries, arthritis

Fatigue, insomnia, healthy living support, disease prevention, weight management, stress, detoxification, immune support, cold/flu prevention

Is your specific issue not listed? Please contact us for more information.

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Treatments

Lab testing petri dish

Naturopathic Specialty Testing

What – Unlike IgE Food Allergy testing, which assesses for potentially serious, acute reactions to foods (e.g. anaphylaxis from peanuts), IgG Food Sensitivity testing assesses for delayed immune reactions to foods. This type of reaction can take months to develop, and can trigger inflammation that can persists for weeks or months.

Who – Anyone who is curious about possible food sensitivities, particularly those who have experienced symptoms such as: digestive issues (e.g. IBS, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, etc.), joint pain, skin conditions (e.g. acne, psoriasis, eczema), headaches, general sluggishness, depression, inability to lose weight…. Determining what foods are contributing to these symptoms can greatly impact the sense of overall well-being, and improve function in the affected areas.

How – During your initial naturopathic appointment, Dr. Lee/Dr. Boudreau will take a thorough history to determine if/which testing is appropriate for you. Test results & a FST-specific treatment plan will be reviewed during a  follow-up appointment.  The test requires a blood sample, which can be collected at Lifelabs via a blood draw.  FST results typically take 2-3 weeks to return.  *Note – Possible trigger foods will not show up as positive on testing if you have not eaten them in the past few weeks or months.

What – SIBO can lead to many digestive symptoms, including bloating, constipation/diarrhea, nausea, cramping, and subsequent symptoms like fatigue, headaches, inflammation, and more.

How – Patients receive a take-home test kit to collect breath samples over the course of 3 hours. Results return for discussion approximately 2 weeks after the lab receives the samples.

What – Hormonal balance can affect many aspects of health, including mood, sleep, appetite, growth and development, sexual function and reproduction. Imbalances can show up as sleep disturbances, stress, anxiety, irritability, low libido, weight gain, fertility issues and a general feeling of being “unwell”. Women also often experience mood disturbances, headaches, PMS, menstrual irregularity, hot flashes and night sweats, memory lapses, fatigue, acne/oily skin and weight gain. Men often experience apathy, reduced sex drive, grumpiness, loss of sense of humor, aggressiveness, poor exercise tolerance, fatigue, male pattern baldness, erectile dysfunction and excess belly fat  when their hormones are not balanced. The DUTCH test provides a detailed report outlining how your hormone production and metabolism are impacting how you are feeling.

How – A take-home collection kit and detailed instructions are provided to collect your urine samples conveniently at home. For those interested in cortisol levels pertaining to morning fatigue and insomnia, the Dutch Plus examines salivary samples in addition to the urine metabolites. For fertility and hormone tracking, the DUTCH Cycle Mapping examines estrogen & progesterone levels at 3-day intervals, over the course of 1 cycle. Approximately ten days after the lab has received the results they will be available for discussion with Dr. Lee/Dr. Boudreau during your follow up appointment.

What  Stool analysis testing may provide a comprehensive assessment of digestive function, including enzyme production, nutrient absorption, and microbial levels (both beneficial and potentially harmful).

How – This take-home kit involves obtaining samples either over a one-day or three-day period, mixed in the appropriate sample tubes, before scheduling a pick-up.

What – Nutrient deficiencies can arise through imbalanced or restricted diets, impaired digestion/absorption, or a number of other causes. Nutritional assessment testing may help shed light on specific areas of concern, including levels of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and fatty acids.

How – Depending upon the specific test, samples may be obtained using first morning urine, a buccal (cheek) swab, a Lifelabs blood draw, or a fingerprick blood sample (or a combination thereof).

What  Exposure to toxic metals such as lead, arsenic or mercury can arise from numerous sources, including the home and the work place. Elevated levels of these harmful compounds may affect everything from mood, sleep and energy to immune function. Testing for levels of these compounds, as well as key nutrients like selenium and iron, is an important first step towards addressing a potential issue.

How  This take-home test involves obtaining urine samples either at specific intervals over the course of a day, or an entire 24-hour collection.  

What – Neurotransmitters are chemicals produced within nerve cells to deliver a message elsewhere in the body, influencing everything from mood (e.g anxiety, depression, insomnia) and energy to immune function. By measuring urinary neurotransmitter levels, it may be possible to determine how they’re being produced, as well as broken down (metabolized).  Neurotransmitter testing determines levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and histamine. The test can be combined with an examination of salivary levels of cortisol, sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, which can also impact mood, energy and reproductive health.

How – Depending upon the specific panel, four salivary samples are obtained over a 24-hour period, as well as either a single urine sample or a 24-hour collection.

What – Mycotoxins, produced by certain mold species, are some of the most prevalent toxins and can come from many sources including buildings, vehicles, and food. Mycotoxin exposure may contribute to a significant number of health concerns, including anxiety/depression, digestive health, fatigue, neurological health, respiratory symptoms and a variety of other symptoms.
 
How – Collection is a simple urine sample collected in the comfort of your own home, frozen, and shipped to the lab in America.

Testing typically involves 2 or more visits: health review + sample collection during the initial visit, and results review + plan at the second visit. Further follow-up appointments may be recommended to monitor and support your progress.

Our Naturopathic Doctors

Dr. Vanessa Lee, N.D. and Dr. Erik Boudreau, N.D., are Naturopathic Doctors registered with the College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC), with certification in acupuncture. Dr. Boudreau is also certified in advanced injection therapies (e.g. prolotherapy) and has prescriptive authority. They are both members of the British Columbia Naturopathic Association (BCNA), Canadian Association of Naturopathic Medicine (CAND), and Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP).

Dr. Lee and Dr. Boudreau work with adults, children, seniors, cancer patients, and healthy individuals interested in disease prevention.
In-clinic, video, and phone consultations are available. 

Consultation Rates*

* Rates as of July 15, 2023

Naturopathic Specialty Testing Rates

Testing typically involves 2 or more visits (the initial visit + a follow-up to review the results + plan). 

Further follow-up appointments may be recommended to monitor and support your progress.

  • Basic (125 foods) – $275
  • Enhanced (220 foods) – $379
  • Vegetarian (160 foods) -$315
  • Additional foods – $25 for each food
  • Candida add-on – $59 (Candida alone – $89)
3-hour SIBO breath test (home collection) – $240

Pricing varies depending on the panel chosen. Please contact the office for current pricing.

Panels options include: Dutch Complete, Dutch Complete Plus, Dutch Complete + Cycle Mapping, Dutch Cycle Mapping alone

Pricing varies depending on the panel chosen. Please contact the office for more information

Pricing varies depending on the panel chosen. Please contact the office for more information

Home collection kit analysing a 24-hour collection urine sample for toxic and essential elements – $260

Pricing varies depending on the panel chosen. Please contact the office for more information

$550 + $45 shipping back to the lab