Get Help From a Naturopath in Toronto with White Lotus Clinic
Our naturopaths have a special focus on hormone health.
White Lotus Clinic has been providing Naturopathic Medicine since 2002 bringing hormonal health and wellness to the Toronto area. Our clinical focus includes PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), infertility, irregular cycles, perimenopause, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, thyroid conditions and endometriosis.
Our team of caring and passionate Naturopathic Doctors are licensed in Ontario and offer a science-based approach to natural health care. We provide evidence-led solutions using lab testing and natural treatments such as nutrition, lifestyle medicine, supplements and herbal medicines.
We follow functional ranges for lab tests, to help you feel your absolute best and to prevent disease from developing in the future. Several of our naturopaths have a prescribing license in Ontario and frequently prescribe bioidentical hormones, natural desiccated thyroid medications and cyclic progesterone therapy to patients.
We offer comprehensive naturopathic care for women’s health, hormone balance, pcos, thyroid, fertility and insulin resistance. Our naturopathic practice in Toronto offers a supportive and compassionate approach to natural medicine, led by lab testing and research.
Founded by Naturopathic Doctor, author and educator Dr Fiona McCulloch ND, White Lotus Clinic’s 4 licensed Naturopathic Doctors offer over 34 years of clinical experience, collectively.
For patients needing in-person naturopathic care or acupuncture, we also offer in-person appointments at our Toronto naturopathic clinic.
What Happens At Your First Visit To A Naturopath?
Your naturopathic doctor will complete a detailed intake of your case which can take up to 90 minutes. This approach allows your naturopath to learn a great deal about your health right from the first visit! .
A thorough review is completed of health systems covering areas such as hormones, digestion, sleep, diet, stress, family history and more. As naturopathic doctors we always look for the underlying causes of disease and support health in a holistic way.
Your naturopath will help clarify your specific health goals during this session, so you can work on what’s most important to you .
After each visit, your naturopathic doctor will create an individual written treatment plan for you including natural treatment options, and lab testing suggestions to clarify causes or provide a diagnosis.
Followup naturopathic visits are booked as needed, and are typically 45, or 30 minutes in length. In general, most patients require several consultations at the start of naturopathic care and then move to a maintenance or follow up schedule with visits scheduled less often.
Most of our patients return year-after-year to work with our NDs as their health needs change or when new conditions arise!
How Many Visits Will I Need?
In order to gather information, perform testing and start treatment, several visits are often needed when beginning Naturopathic Care. As time goes on, the visits are often spaced further apart.
The number of visits does vary with differing types of concerns but a typical pattern could be 3 visits in the first 2 months, and then monthly visits up to 6 months.
Often, patients will come in for checkups with their Naturopathic Doctor several times per year to keep the balance they have achieved through treatment.
What Does A Naturopath Do?
Naturopathic Medicine is a primary health care profession which includes a variety of naturally based therapies. Naturopathic treatments are aimed at removing the cause of disease and support the innate healing processes within the body. The focus of naturopathic care is centered on the individual, their health (physical, emotional social and spiritual), family history, and lifestyle.
Our naturopathic doctors provide a data-based approach, offering lab testing and lab followup to diagnose underlying problems and track the effectiveness of treatments over time.
Treatments we provide to our patients are natural, science-based and support the overall health and strength of the patient. At the end of each visit, we prepare written treatment plans individually for each patient’s needs. These may include nutritional supplements, herbal medicines, bio-identical hormones and diet/lifestyle changes. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach in naturopathic medicine!
What Kinds of Testing Do Naturopathic Doctors Offer?
At our clinic, we offer two main branches of naturopathic lab testing:
- Testing through Ontario labs, such as Lifelabs. For these tests we will provide you with a requisition, and you can have your blood drawn at a lab nearby to your home or work.
- Specialized testing through International and Canadian Labs (i.e.: Organic Acids, Parasitology, Comprehensive Stool Analysis, Salivary Hormones, Urinary Hormone Metabolites, Food Sensitivities).
Should I Tell My Doctor That I Am Seeking Naturopathic Treatment?
Your health is completely your decision. Naturopathic Doctors are regulated health care practitioners and will be able to work in concert with your medical doctor, chiropractor, or specialist to help provide the most comprehensive care.
A naturopathic doctor will never suggest that you should stop a medication recommended to you by a medical doctor. Your health care is always confidential and it is your decision with whom you’d like to share your information. Naturopathic Doctors often refer to MDs when the patient’s care is outside of the scope of practice of naturopathy.
How Much Does It Cost to See a Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario?
The cost to see a naturopathic doctor in Ontario varies from clinic to clinic and by special interest and level of training.
We offer phone and video telemedicine consultations to patients located in Ontario at the time of the appointment.
We also offer in-person appointments at our Toronto naturopathic clinic for patients needing in-person naturopathic care or acupuncture.
What Is The Difference Between A Homeopath And A Naturopath?
Naturopathic doctors are regulated to provide primary health care in Ontario and offer a wide variety of natural treatments, traditional lab testing, functional medicine lab testing, nutritional and lifestyle counseling. Naturopathic doctors can diagnose disease, prescribe hormones and some medications and have completed at least 7 years of postsecondary education with university-level science prerequisites.
Although they may sound similar by name, homeopaths are very different in practice than naturopaths. Homeopathic training is a diploma program of 1-3 years, and focuses on one specific natural type of treatment: homeopathy. Homeopathy includes giving diluted extracts of substances based on the principle of “like cures like”. Although some naturopaths may offer homeopathy as part of their treatment plans, our clinic focuses on other elements of naturopathic care including evidence-based supplements, nutrition, and botanical medicines.
FAQs
Are naturopathic doctors covered by OHIP?
Naturopathic medicine is a private service in Ontario and it cannot be covered by public health care fees. Private (extended health) insurance often covers treatment by a licensed naturopathic doctor.
Do you need a referral to see a naturopath in Ontario?
You do not need a referral to see a naturopathic doctor in Ontario. If you are interested in booking an appointment, you may contact our clinic directly whenever you are ready!
How are Naturopathic Doctors Trained?
A naturopathic doctor completes a minimum of 7 years of postsecondary education. Prerequisites for entry into naturopathic college are similar to those required for entry into medical school and include chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry.
Our NDs graduated from Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, a four year full time program including all of the biomedical sciences that a medical doctor studies. In the naturopathic curriculum, there is an emphasis on clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, and lifestyle counseling. Naturopaths also complete clinical rotations during their education, treating patients under the supervision of licensed NDs. Naturopathic Medical education in Canada is also accredited, meaning that it is regulated by a licensing body.
Are Naturopathic Doctors Regulated?
Upon graduation from an accredited Naturopathic Medical school, a candidate qualifies to write Naturopathic Physician Licensing Examinations, a rigorous and lengthy series of exams to determine the candidate’s ability to practice naturopathic medicine.
Upon passing these exams, a Naturopathic Doctor must register annually with the licensing body, follow guidelines and complete continuing education to remain in good standing. An external governing body regulates the naturopathic profession for the safety of the public.
What Is The Difference Between A Homeopath And A Naturopath?
Naturopathic doctors are regulated to provide primary health care in Ontario and offer a wide variety of natural treatments, traditional lab testing, functional medicine lab testing, nutritional and lifestyle counseling. Naturopathic doctors can diagnose disease, prescribe hormones and some medications and have completed at least 7 years of postsecondary education with university-level science prerequisites.
Although they may sound similar by name, homeopaths are very different in practice than naturopaths. Homeopathic training is a diploma program of 1-3 years, and focuses on one specific natural type of treatment: homeopathy. Homeopathy includes giving diluted extracts of substances based on the principle of “like cures like”. Although some naturopaths may offer homeopathy as part of their treatment plans, our clinic focuses on other elements of naturopathic care including evidence-based supplements, nutrition, and botanical medicines.
Can Naturopaths Prescribe Medication In Canada?
Several of our naturopaths are able to prescribe dessicated thyroid (NDT, Erfa) and bio-identical hormones (progesterone and estrogen) for patients of the clinic. They have completed additional certification in prescribing in order to provide this treatment. We work with many compounding and traditional pharmacies in Toronto to help our patients access the medications they need..
Are Lab Tests Requisitioned Through My Naturopathic Doctor Covered By OHIP?
None of our tests are covered by OHIP. In some cases, private insurance may reimburse some or part of naturopathic lab fees. As each insurance provider is different, please call to determine your level of coverage for labs, if any.
Do I Have To Be A Naturopathic Patient To Buy Labs From Your Clinic?
We can only provide lab testing to patients of the clinic, according to regulations by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
Naturopathic Lab Testing
Lab testing is integral to diagnosis and can create significant insight into health conditions. Our NDs use functional medicine lab ranges that are best for optimal health, and we often pick up causes that may have been missed in the past. Labs are a great way to take the guesswork out of treatment and save you time on your journey back to health. Read more about our areas of focus below.
Women’s health is one of our main clinical focuses. We offer years of experience in working with:
Thyroid conditions represent 30% of our patient cases. Our NDs are experienced in:
Fertility concerns affect 1 in 5 of our patients at the clinic including:
- Natural Fertility / Conception
- IVF / IUI Support
- Unexplained Infertility
- Male Factor
Hi, I'm Dr Fiona McCulloch ND
I’m the founder and medical director of White Lotus Integrative Medicine, a Naturopathic Clinic in Toronto and the author of the a best-selling book, 8 Steps to Reverse your PCOS. I’ve designed our clinic with collaboration at its heart: Our team of licensed Naturopathic Doctors work together closely to share research, clinical experience and protocols so that you get the same level of care no matter who you see in the practice. Click here to learn more about how we work together!
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