A NATUROPATHIC APPROACH TO
FUNCTIONAL MEDICAL TESTING
Hormone Testing, Stool Testing, SIBO Breath Testing & Food Intolerance Assessment
Functional Medical Tests
Virtual appointments for functional medical testing in Ontario.
At Sequence Wellness, we use evidence-informed laboratory testing to help identify the root causes of fatigue, digestive symptoms, hormonal changes, skin conditions, and chronic inflammation. Testing is never the starting point, but when used appropriately, it provides the clarity needed to create a personalized, highly effective treatment plan.
All testing is carried out by our licensed naturopathic doctors and is available to patients anywhere in Ontario, using local-to-you Lifelabs and Dynacare locations, and/or convenient at-home kits.
Needs answers? Get thorough lab testing, knowledgeable interpretation and compassionate help.
Laboratory Testing
Types of Testing We Offer
Lab testing is an important component of evidence based health care. Here is an overview of the most common functional tests used at Sequence Wellness.
- Estradiol
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
- DHEA
- LH / FSH
- Prolactin
- SHBG
- Cortisol
- AMH
Testing helps us understand symptoms related to:
- Perimenopause
- Menopause
- PMS / PMDD
- Cycle irregularities
- Hormonal acne
- Low libido
- Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Hair and skin changes
Thyroid imbalances are common contributors to fatigue, mood changes, weight shifts, hair loss, and digestive symptoms.
Testing may include:
- TSH
- Free T4
- Free T3
- Anti-TPO antibodies
- Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies
- Thyroid-related nutrient levels (iron, B12, vitamin D)
We also evaluate metabolic markers, such as:
- Fasting glucose
- Insulin
- HbA1c
- Lipid profile
Stool testing is particularly helpful for:
- IBS
- IBD (co-managed)
- Chronic bloating
- Loose stools or constipation
- Skin conditions (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
- Unexplained fatigue or inflammation
- Recurrent digestive infections
At Sequence Wellness, we commonly use:
- GI-MAP
- CDSA panels
Comprehensive stool analysis helps identify:
- Bacterial imbalances
- Parasites
- Yeast / fungi
- Inflammation
- Gut immune function (secretory IgA)
- Digestive enzymes
- Bile acids
- Short-chain fatty acids
- Occult blood
Used to diagnose:
- Hydrogen-dominant SIBO
- Methane-dominant SIBO (IMO)
- Hydrogen-sulfide SIBO (when available)
Testing options include:
- Lactulose breath test
- Glucose breath test
- FoodMarble at-home monitoring
SIBO testing is recommended when patients experience:
- Bloating shortly after meals
- Excessive gas
- Constipation or diarrhea
- IBS symptoms
- Rosacea associated with gut symptoms
- Unexplained abdominal discomfort
We use several approaches depending on symptoms:
a. Lactose / fructose intolerance testing
Via serum glucose or breath analysis.
b. Guided elimination diets
Often the gold standard, especially when done with practitioner support.
c. IgG food sensitivity testing
- Useful in select cases, including:
- Migraines
- Eczema / psoriasis
- Joint pain
- Chronic fatigue
- Autoimmune conditions
- Digestive symptoms with unclear triggers
Symptoms like fatigue, hair thinning, low mood, and poor immunity may be related to nutrient levels.
Patients are often surprised by how much better they feel once deficiencies are addressed.
We often test:
- Iron / ferritin
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium (RBC)
- Zinc
- Omega-3 index
Laboratory Testing
Types of Testing We Offer
Lab testing is an important component of evidence based health care. Here is an overview of the most common functional tests used at Sequence Wellness.
- Estradiol
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
- DHEA
- LH / FSH
- Prolactin
- SHBG
- Cortisol
- AMH
Testing helps us understand symptoms related to:
- Perimenopause
- Menopause
- PMS / PMDD
- Cycle irregularities
- Hormonal acne
- Low libido
- Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Hair and skin changes
Thyroid imbalances are common contributors to fatigue, mood changes, weight shifts, hair loss, and digestive symptoms.
Testing may include:
- TSH
- Free T4
- Free T3
- Anti-TPO antibodies
- Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies
- Thyroid-related nutrient levels (iron, B12, vitamin D)
We also evaluate metabolic markers, such as:
- Fasting glucose
- Insulin
- HbA1c
- Lipid profile
Stool testing is particularly helpful for:
- IBS
- IBD (co-managed)
- Chronic bloating
- Loose stools or constipation
- Skin conditions (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
- Unexplained fatigue or inflammation
- Recurrent digestive infections
At Sequence Wellness, we commonly use:
- GI-MAP
- CDSA panels
Comprehensive stool analysis helps identify:
- Bacterial imbalances
- Parasites
- Yeast / fungi
- Inflammation
- Gut immune function (secretory IgA)
- Digestive enzymes
- Bile acids
- Short-chain fatty acids
- Occult blood
Used to diagnose:
- Hydrogen-dominant SIBO
- Methane-dominant SIBO (IMO)
- Hydrogen-sulfide SIBO (when available)
Testing options include:
- Lactulose breath test
- Glucose breath test
- FoodMarble at-home monitoring
SIBO testing is recommended when patients experience:
- Bloating shortly after meals
- Excessive gas
- Constipation or diarrhea
- IBS symptoms
- Rosacea associated with gut symptoms
- Unexplained abdominal discomfort
We use several approaches depending on symptoms:
a. Lactose / fructose intolerance testing
Via serum glucose or breath analysis.
b. Guided elimination diets
Often the gold standard, especially when done with practitioner support.
c. IgG food sensitivity testing
- Useful in select cases, including:
- Migraines
- Eczema / psoriasis
- Joint pain
- Chronic fatigue
- Autoimmune conditions
- Digestive symptoms with unclear triggers
Symptoms like fatigue, hair thinning, low mood, and poor immunity may be related to nutrient levels.
Patients are often surprised by how much better they feel once deficiencies are addressed.
We often test:
- Iron / ferritin
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium (RBC)
- Zinc
- Omega-3 index
Additional Testing (When Clinically Indicated). Depending on your symptoms, we may also evaluate: CRP / inflammatory markers, Liver enzymes, Sex hormone binding globulin, Prolactin, Autoimmune markers, H. pylori (stool or breath test)
Additional Testing (When Clinically Indicated). Depending on your symptoms, we may also evaluate: CRP / inflammatory markers, Liver enzymes, Sex hormone binding globulin, Prolactin, Autoimmune markers, H. pylori (stool or breath test)
What other conditions do we test for? Check out our functional testing hub for educational content about various health concerns.
How Testing Works at Sequence Wellness | The Process
Every person is an individual, but we have a systematic approach that allows for thoroughness as well as safety, as we abide by research supported medical guidelines to inform our assessment and care plans.
1. Thorough Assessment
Our thorough assessment involves a 1.5 hour initial appointment with a licensed naturopathic doctor who is knowledgeable in the area of health relating to your chief concern. At the end of the appointment they will have determined which type of lab testing would be appropriate to help reveal the underlying mechanism of your health issue. They will often give you the option of doing the bare minimum level of testing, all the way up to the most comprehensive functional medical assessment. It is your call to determine which tests are feasible given your financial situation (lab tests requisitioned by a licensed naturopathic doctor in Ontario are not covered by OHIP, but are often covered by extended health plans).
2. Lab Result Interpretation
In the second appointment (usually 2-3 week after the first), lab test results, nutrition calculations, and any other initial trial results are reviewed, thoroughly explained, and considered when building the treatment plan.
3. Treatment Plan Creation & Review
At the end of the second visit you will have a comprehensive treatment plan to address your health based on your laboratory results. These are then follow-up at the appropriate interval (anywhere between 6 weeks and annually).
4. Annual Lab Testing
Many of our patients, who no longer have any health concerns, see us annually to check in and repeat annual lab testing. These labs are the typical disease prevention tests like cholesterol and blood sugar, but we also monitor nutrient levels like vitamin b12, iron, and vitamin D. Depending on the case thyroid, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone may be included. Some patient also choose to use their annual extended health insurance to cover more comprehensive functional tests like stool analysis, cortisol test panels and deep dive hormone metabolism assessments.
Why Patients Choose Sequence Wellness for Functional Lab Testing
Experienced in interpreting complex tests
All naturopathic doctors on our team have advanced training in:
- Hormonal test interpretation
- Stool analysis
- SIBO breath testing
- Thyroid analysis
- Nutrient panel interpretation
Integrative, research-informed guidance
We combine conventional and naturopathic testing frameworks for a more complete picture.
Virtual assessment across Ontario
Most tests are completed at your local Lifelabs or Dynacare collection locations, or at home via easy to use self collection kits —ideal for patients outside major cities.
Clear communication. Clear understanding.
We explain what each test means, why it matters, and how it fits into the bigger picture.
No unnecessary testing
We only recommend what is clinically useful, not a pre-determined package of tests.
Our practitioners
All naturopathic doctors at Sequence Wellness are trained in functional testing and laboratory interpretation. Each practitioner brings a unique clinical perspective, but all provide comprehensive testing options to patients across Ontario.
Dr. Elizabeth Miller
Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Janna Fung
Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Mariia Tanasyshyn
Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Sarah Goulding
Naturopathic Doctor
Why Functional Testing Matters
“Your bloodwork looks normal.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you.”
“It’s just stress / IBS / aging.”
Many patients come to us after being told the same thing, no news is good news. Yet they continue to experience symptoms that significantly impact quality of life.
Functional testing helps uncover patterns that standard bloodwork may overlook, including:
- Microbiome imbalances
- Digestive enzyme issues
- Chronic inflammation
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Hormone fluctuations
- Food intolerances
- Motility problems
- Hidden infections
- Gut permeability markers
Testing is always individualized—and only recommended when it will meaningfully guide treatment.
Ready to check under the hood? Book with one of our naturopathic doctors to get a thorough assessment of your health
We Welcome All Humans
At Sequence Wellness, we are committed to providing inclusive, respectful, and compassionate care. We welcome people of all races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Your health, dignity, and lived experience matter here.
Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that our clinic operates on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to live and work on this land.
FAQ
Do you offer virtual appointments?
Yes! Most of our appointments are virtual. However, we will soon be returning to the office, and will be able to accommodate some in-person appointments in Ottawa, Mississauga, and Toronto.
Do you offer in-person appointments?
Yes! Most of our appointments are virtual, but we offer in-person appointments in Ottawa, Mississauga, and Toronto (Distillery District).
How lab testing works if I live outside Ottawa
There is no obstacle to getting lab testing if you live outside of Ottawa (or one of our other in-person locations – Mississauga and Toronto). We rely on Lifelabs and Dynacare for lab specimen collection, and they have locations across Ontario. GTA patients can access over 150 Dynacare collection sites for instance.
What about physical exams?
As we do mainly hormonal health, digestion and burnout, most of the relevant objective information comes from lab testing. In addition, most of our patients have already seen their medical doctor who has performed a physical exam with no relevant findings. There are some circumstances when physical exams are warranted, and in these cases we ask the patient to come into one of our offices (Ottawa, Mississauga or Toronto – east), or we refer to another practitioner local to them (their family doctor, nurse practitioner or another ND).
