Enhancing Weight Loss, Naturally.

Naturopaths in Edmonton Focused on Optimizing Weight Loss

We offer Edmonton a wide range of weight optimization strategies for both men and women.

Our Practitioners usually begin with Salivary, Urinary or Blood hormone testing. 

Often times, we start with gentle natural hormone balancing options including herbs.

However, when stronger options are needed, our Nurse Practitioner can prescribe bioidentical hormones.

Our NP can also provide Testosterone Replacement Therapy (also known as TRT).

Testing

Successful optimization of weight loss usually begins with effective testing.

If we are able to run comprehensive hormone testing it allows our practitioners understand all of the obstacles to your weight loss. It all starts with hormone testing. 

Our basic hormone screens always include: Estradiol, Progesterone, DHEA, Testosterone and Cortisol as well as Thyroid Testing (TSH, Free T3 & T4). 

Insulin levels / metabolic dysfunction, and inflammation (CRP, food sensitivities) are also key areas our Naturopaths look at for weight loss.

Salivary hormone testing is a method that lets our practitioners understand your free hormones at the level of the tissues and is less costly than urine testing.

Saliva allows for precisely timed Cortisol testing as well as being a needle free, at-home option. Saliva typically also covers estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA.

As of the time of writing (2025), our practitioners typically defer to blood and urine testing for weight loss optimization, as they provide a greater depth of test parameters.

Blood hormone testing is the lowest cost methodology with rapid turnaround in the Edmonton area through Alberta Precision Laboratories.

Blood is the only method that allows us to understand pituitary signals such as FSH & LH, in addition to insulin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and food sensitivities. 

Furthermore, thyroid testing can only be done through the blood.

Urinary hormone testing ("DUTCH" Testing) lets us understand both male and female hormones and their metabolites.

Urinary testing also looks at various metabolites that are not available in blood testing.

DUTCH testing looks at bio-available testosterone (free and albumin bound testosterone - "lightly bound") and DHEA-s (inactive sulfated storage form) as well as total DHEA (DHEA-s, androsterone, etiocholanolone - metabolites of DHEA).

Glutathione as well as 8-OHdG are measured on the DUTCH as markers of inflammation.

Weight Loss Optimization

Select Areas

Thyroid

Our Naturopaths always do a deep dive and run advanced Thyroid Testing (TSH, FT3, FT4) in all of our weight loss cases.

We make sure that patients already on Synthroid are converting and utilizing their medication appropriately. 

Our Naturopaths consider Thyroid an issue especially if accessory Thyroid symptoms are present: fatigue, weakness, depression, constipation etc.

We always review your previous blood work in your first visit & many times we find issues in lab work that have been previously overlooked.

TruMed offers Thyroid Replacement through our Nurse Practitioner - Synthroid, Desiccated Thyroid, Cytomel and T4/T3 combinations are all common options.

Adrenals

Signs and symptoms of hypoadrenalism may include fatigue, salt craving, positional blood pressure issues, insomnia and poor tolerance to stress. 

Hypoadrenalism or "Adrenal Fatigue" is a common cause of fatigue.

Cortisol and Thyroid function are linked and low Cortisol is thought to cause "pooling" of Thyroid hormone.

Conversely, high Cortisol can encourage weight deposition (excess release of energy substrates).

We usually run blood, salivary or urinary DHEA and Cortisol in our weight gain cases.

Cortisol or DHEA management strategies are then employed.

Androgens

We always screen our Edmonton weight loss patients for low male hormones (Androgens) - Testosterone and DHEA.

As mentioned above, DHEA is principally an adrenal hormone.

Both Testosterone and DHEA affect energy, memory, muscle mass, mood and libido in men and women.

Although herbal options are available to boost these levels, in our experience, the effects are frequently modest.

We work with a range of Androgen replacement options including Testosterone (creams, gels, shots) and DHEA (orally or as a cream) through our Nurse Practitioner,

We also work with substances that can augment endogenous Testosterone production such as hCG and Clomid, also through our in-house NP.
 

Test Reports

Food Sensitivity 

According to one estimate, as much as 60% of the population suffers from undetected food sensitivities.

In our experience, about 30% of patients who are unable to lose weight despite optimized hormones and adherence to low-calorie diets deal with food sensitivity.

These patients achieve successful weight loss after eliminating specific foods to which they are sensitive to (without further decreasing caloric intake).

Our clinic has a preference for blood based IgG Food Sensitivity Testing - the most evidence backed testing methodology. 

In our estimation, we've seen hundreds of patients achieve substantial weight loss after removing food sensitivities for concerns unrelated to weight loss (digestive issues, rashes, migraines etc.)

Need help with weight loss?

We want to help 
(780) 757-8378