BIOMARKER TESTING: HOW TO STAY AHEAD OF DISEASE

DrHolmberg
Jul 21
5 min read

Updated: Jul 30

Why Biomarkers Matter for Prevention & Longevity

Modern chronic diseases rarely appear overnight. Subtle metabolic shifts, nutrient shortfalls, inflammatory changes, and hormone imbalances can be present for years before symptoms meet a diagnostic threshold.

Biomarker Testing—measurable indicators in blood and other body fluids—offer an evidence-informed way to see those shifts early, intervene sooner, and support a longer healthspan (years lived in good health, free from disability and disease).

When tracked over time, targeted biomarker assessments can help:

Flag trends toward insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk, or nutrient depletion before disease develops.
Correlate lab findings with symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts, and menstrual irregularities, then consider female hormone testing.
Personalize nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle plans.
Monitor the impact of treatment and make timely course corrections.

The Gap: Access to Preventative Blood Work Isn’t Always Easy in Ontario

In Ontario’s publicly funded system, lab testing is generally ordered when it meets medical-necessity criteria. That means proactive or more frequent screening—especially when you feel "fine" but want deeper insight—isn’t always accessible through standard channels. Many people are told their basic labs are "normal," or denied more regular screening due to their age, yet continue to experience symptoms, or they want more detailed markers that aren’t routinely run.

This is where a naturopathic doctor-led biomarker strategy can bridge the gap. By combining a detailed health history with targeted lab selection, you gain access to data that informs preventative, individualized care.

What a Naturopathic Doctor Brings to Biomarker Assessment

Working with a licensed naturopathic doctor in Ontario provides access to an array of preventative blood work a clinical setting that goes beyond a one-time test kit.

Key advantages:

Comprehensive Intake Appointment: Symptoms, lifestyle, diet, medications, and health goals inform which biomarkers matter most.
Targeted test selection: Avoid paying for unnecessary panels; invest in the markers most relevant to you.
Optimal vs. conventional ranges: Understand when results are technically "normal" but trending away from metabolic or hormonal resilience.
Root-cause context: Integrate biomarkers with functional systems—gut, hormones, immune, detox, metabolism.
Actionable treatment plans: Nutrition upgrades, supplementation, botanical medicine, stress recovery, sleep, movement, and when collaborative medical care is indicated.
Follow-up & trend tracking: Re-test at appropriate intervals to measure change and support long-term prevention.

Competing with big-box and digital lab startups (e.g., Nia Health & other direct-to-consumer platforms): ND-directed testing pairs data with individualized testing, interpretation, and clinical follow-through—key differentiators for long-term outcomes.

Core Biomarker Categories Offered in an ND-Led Preventative Panel

Below is a modular framework commonly used to build customized biomarker testing panels. Not every marker is needed for every person; selection is based on history, risk, age, symptoms, and goals.

Metabolic Health & Blood Sugar Regulation

Fasting glucose & insulin (calculate HOMA-IR)
HbA1c (long-term glucose trend)
C-peptide (insulin production insight)

Cardiovascular & Lipid Risk Expansion

Standard lipid profile (total, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides)
ApoB (atherogenic particle count proxy)
CRP (vascular inflammation)

Inflammatory & Immune Activity

CRP (systemic inflammation)
ESR
Ferritin (also an acute phase reactant; interpret in context)
Fibrinogen (when cardiovascular risk warrants)

Nutrient Status & Functional Sufficiency

Ferritin + iron/TIBC + % saturation
Vitamin B12 & Homocysteine
Folate (serum or RBC)
25-OH Vitamin D
RBC magnesium (preferred over serum, if accessible)
Zinc, copper, selenium (selectively, based on need)

Hormone & Thyroid Health

TSH, free T4, free T3
Thyroid antibodies (TPOAb, TgAb) for autoimmune screening
Reverse T3 (contextual; not routine for all)
Female hormone mapping (estradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH; cycle-timed)
Androgen status (DHEA-S, total & free testosterone) when indicated
Prolactin (selective)

Liver, Detox & Methylation Indicators

ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, bilirubin
Albumin, total protein, and globulin ratio
Homocysteine (methylation & cardiovascular linkage)
FIB-4 (fibrosis estimate)

7. Kidney & Electrolyte Balance

Creatinine, eGFR
BUN
Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate)
Urinalysis (protein, glucose, specific gravity, ketones, etc.)

Gut & Food-Related Screening (Selected Cases)

Celiac serology (tTG-IgA ± total IgA)
H. pylori breath or stool antigen
Calprotectin (stool, inflammatory marker)

Longevity & Systems Resilience Indicators

hs-CRP (again—because trend matters)
Insulin & HOMA-IR trends
ApoB for lifetime cardiovascular burden
Omega-3 index

Note: Availability varies by lab. Some markers require specialty or out-of-province processing. Dr. Holmberg, ND will guide selection.

Sample Custom Panels by Health Goal

Below are sample biomarker testing groups frequently requested in the clinic. Use them as building blocks to assess certain concerns; each patient’s panel is individualized.

Foundational Preventative Screen (General Adult)

CBC with differential
CMP (electrolytes, kidney, liver)
Lipid profile + non-HDL
Fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin
hs-CRP
Ferritin, B12, 25-OH Vitamin D

Women’s Hormone & Energy Panel (Reproductive Age)

Foundational Preventative Screen +
TSH, free T4, free T3, TPOAb
Day-specific estradiol, progesterone
DHEA-S, testosterone (if symptoms)
Iron panel (if heavy periods)

Perimenopause / Midlife Metabolic Reset

Foundational Preventative Screen +
FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone (cycle stage dependent)
DHEA-S, testosterone (total/free)
hs-CRP, ApoB, Lp(a)
Fasting insulin & HOMA-IR trend

Plant-Based / Vegan Nutrient Audit

CBC (macrocytosis screen)
Ferritin + iron panel
B12 (± methylmalonic acid if accessible)
Folate
Vitamin D
Zinc & copper ratio (selective)
Omega-3 index (if offered)

How Biomarker Testing Works with Dr. Courtney Holmberg, ND

Step 1 – Initial Consultation

Discuss symptoms, goals, medical history, medications, supplements, and lifestyle factors that influence lab needs.

Step 2 – Personalized Lab Plan

A targeted requisition (or modular panel) is designed, no paying for dozens of irrelevant tests.

Step 3 – Sample Collection

Blood draw arranged through partnered private lab services in Toronto / GTA. Some specialty kits may be done at home.

Step 4 – Results & Interpretation Visit

Labs are reviewed in detail, highlighting patterns, early risk signals, and opportunities for nutritional or lifestyle intervention.

Step 5 – Action Plan & Monitoring

Receive a stepwise plan: dietary changes, supplementation protocols, stress & sleep strategies, movement prescriptions, and—when appropriate—collaborative referrals for medical evaluation.

Step 6 – Re-Test & Trend

Monitoring intervals are set based on goals (e.g., 3, 6, or 12 months) to track improvement and adjust care.

Who Should Consider Biomarker Testing?

You don’t need to be ill to benefit. Consider booking if you:

Want proactive, preventative screening beyond the basics.
Have ongoing symptoms despite "normal" labs.
Carry a family history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, or hormone disorders.
Are you planning a pregnancy or experiencing fertility challenges?
Follow a restricted diet (vegan, low-iron, low-calorie, gluten-free) and want nutrient assurance.
Are navigating perimenopause, irregular cycles, PCOS, or endometriosis.
Are you an athlete or high performer tracking recovery, inflammation, and nutrient sufficiency?

How Often Should Preventative Blood Work Be Repeated?

Frequency depends on risk, age, and findings. General guidance:

Baseline screen: Establish your starting point.
Every 12 months: Preventative re-check for healthy, low-risk adults.
Every 6 months: Correcting a deficiency, monitoring metabolic change, adjusting hormones, or tracking inflammation.
Every 3 months: Intensive therapeutic phase (iron repletion, glycemic recovery, fertility cycles, medication changes).

Understanding Lab Ranges: Normal vs Optimal

Standard lab reference intervals capture ~95% of a tested population, not necessarily the "ideal health" window. Many individuals fall within the reference range yet experience symptoms linked to suboptimal, trending, or borderline labs. ND interpretation includes:

Pattern recognition across markers (example: low ferritin + low B12 + macrocytosis).
Functional thresholds associated with energy, cognition, immune function, menstrual health, or athletic output.
Relative change from past results—improving or drifting?

Insurance, Fees & Using Extended Health Benefits

ND visit fees are typically covered under extended health benefit plans (check your insurer).

Lab costs vary depending on the depth of your selected panel; pricing transparency is provided before testing (generally ranges from 200-500$)

Some markers may be ordered through your medical doctor and covered by OHIP when medically necessary; panels can be hybridized to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Health spending accounts (HSAs/FSAs) can often be applied to ND services & testing.

Preparing for Your Blood Draw

Dr. Holmberg, ND, will provide guidance on all of the following to maximize accuracy:

Confirm whether fasting (8–12 hrs) is required for glucose, lipids, and insulin.
Take usual medications unless instructed otherwise.
Pause certain supplements (biotin, high-dose biotin interferes with some assays; iron before ferritin draw; discuss individually).
Hydrate well the day before.
Schedule female hormone draws according to cycle day when relevant.