Wellness blood work provides selected baseline or follow-up information about blood cells, glucose regulation, lipids, kidney function and liver-associated markers. Testing can be arranged without a family doctor requisition and is tailored to your history and reason for testing.
A personalized approach
Wellness blood work can be focused or broad. Dr. MacLeod reviews your symptoms, health history, medications, previous results and testing priorities, then recommends a panel that reflects what you want to investigate and what may be useful to assess.
Current concerns, health history, medications, previous results and the areas you want investigated are reviewed together.
A core panel is combined with additional markers that reflect your health needs, preferences and previous testing.
Results are interpreted together. Follow-up may include monitoring, further assessment or coordination with primary or urgent medical care.
Common components
These groups describe commonly requested tests. Your requisition can include a broad baseline as well as additional markers selected for your health history, goals and preferences.
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The individual values and cell indices can contribute to the assessment of anemia, infection and some blood disorders.
May include: Hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, white blood cell count and platelets
Fasting glucose measures blood sugar at the time of collection. HbA1c estimates average blood glucose over approximately the previous two to three months.
May include: Fasting glucose and HbA1c, with additional markers based on your health history and goals
Measures cholesterol carried in different lipoproteins and triglycerides. Results are considered with blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, family history and other cardiovascular risk factors.
May include: Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides
Creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate provide information about kidney filtration. Electrolytes help assess fluid and mineral balance.
May include: Creatinine, eGFR, sodium and potassium
Enzymes and related markers can change with liver or biliary conditions, medication use and other health factors. An abnormal result does not identify the cause by itself.
May include: ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin and albumin, when appropriate
Thyroid, iron, vitamin B12, inflammatory and other markers may be added when symptoms, history, medications or previous results provide a reason to include them.
May include: Selected individually rather than included automatically
Understanding the report
A blood test is one part of an assessment. It can provide useful evidence, but it does not replace symptoms, history, physical examination or appropriate diagnostic follow-up.
Results are compared with the reporting laboratory's intervals and decision thresholds. A value near a boundary is interpreted in context rather than labelled independently as healthy or unhealthy.
A previous result can help show whether a marker is stable, changing or returning toward baseline. Small differences can also reflect normal biological and laboratory variation.
Meals, hydration, exercise, acute illness, medications, supplements and the time of collection can affect particular measurements.
Significantly abnormal or time-sensitive findings may require prompt assessment through primary care, a walk-in clinic or emergency care. Private laboratory testing does not replace those services.
Reasons for assessment
Testing frequency and scope are individualized. These are common reasons to establish a baseline, update older results or take a broader look at your health.
Private testing in Nova Scotia
A family doctor or specialist referral is not required. Dr. MacLeod helps you build the requisition, reviews costs and provides any preparation instructions before collection.
Your concerns, health history, previous results and the tests you want to discuss are reviewed.
A private laboratory requisition is provided. Costs and any fasting or timing instructions are confirmed in advance.
Results are reviewed as a group, with follow-up based on the findings and the reason the tests were ordered.
Laboratory testing ordered through a naturopathic doctor is not covered by MSI. Some extended health plans may cover naturopathic appointments, but laboratory coverage varies.
Continue exploring
Yes. I can provide a private laboratory requisition after reviewing your health history, previous results and testing priorities. A family doctor or specialist referral is not required.
Laboratory testing ordered through a naturopathic doctor is not covered by MSI and is paid privately. The cost depends on the markers selected and is reviewed before testing.
Your panel can be focused or comprehensive. I will recommend tests based on your age, symptoms, health history, medications and previous results, and we can also discuss additional markers you would like included. Costs are reviewed before the requisition is completed.
It depends on the tests selected. Some measurements are affected by recent food intake while others do not require fasting. You will receive specific instructions before collection. Unless instructed otherwise, water is permitted and medications should not be stopped.
There is no single interval for everyone. Timing depends on age, risk factors, medications, previous findings and whether a result is being monitored after an intervention. We can establish a follow-up schedule that fits your results and health goals.
Yes. You can receive a copy for your records or provide it to another healthcare professional. Findings that require medical diagnosis or treatment should be followed through the appropriate primary or specialist care pathway.
Book an initial consultation to review your health history, previous results and the baseline or follow-up testing you would like to complete.
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