Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect at my first naturopathic appointment?

Your first visit is a 60‑minute investigative appointment: detailed medical and lifestyle history, focused physical exam, and a clear, prioritized plan that often includes investigative lab testing.

• Pre-visit intake form to gather history and current concerns

• 60-minute appointment for deep review and clinical assessment

• Targeted tests may be ordered (bloodwork, stool, hormones, micronutrients)

• You leave with a clear treatment plan, next steps, and expected timeline

How long are initial and follow-up visits, and how often will I need to come?

Initial visits are 60 minutes. Follow-ups are 30–45 minutes and scheduled more frequently at the start (e.g., every 4–6 weeks) then spaced for maintenance as you progress.

• Initial: 60 minutes for assessment, tests ordered, and initial recommendations

• Follow-ups: 30–45 minutes to review results, adjust and build on treatment, and monitor progress

• Typical early plan: 2–3 visits in the first 8–12 weeks, then ongoing maintenance care

Why see a naturopathic doctor instead of trying to fix it myself?

Working with a naturopathic doctor saves time and guesswork by providing an evidence-based, individualized plan, ordering targeted labs, and offering ongoing clinical oversight so you don’t waste time on ineffective DIY strategies.

Key benefits:

• Time saved: Clinical triage and prioritized plans replace trial-and-error

• Clinical nuance: Proper dosing, timing, safety checks, and interactions tailored to you

• Investigative testing: Labs to identify root causes rather than treating symptoms alone

• Ongoing care: Monitoring and plan adjustments to ensure durable results, not a one-off recommendation

Will you order labs, and which tests do you use?

Yes. We use targeted laboratory testing (standard bloodwork plus tests like stool/GI panels, hormone assays, and micronutrient testing) to guide diagnosis and measure progress.

Common tests requisitioned include:

• Comprehensive bloodwork (CBC, metabolic, thyroid, and inflammatory markers)

• GI/stool testing for microbiome, dysbiosis, parasites, and inflammation

• Autoimmune antibody testing like ANA, RF, Celiac antibodies, thyroid antibodies

• Breath testing for SIBO, where indicated

• Hormone bloodwork, such as estrogen, progesterone, androgens like testosterone and DHEA, prolactin, etc.

• Nutrient status, such as iron, vitamin D, folate, and B12

What conditions do you commonly treat?

Dr. Vanier, ND has a clinical focus area in treating functional digestive disorders — such as IBS, functional dyspepsia, and reflux — as well as many other digestive conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac disease, and infections like H. pylori and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Dr. Vanier also focuses on hormone conditions and concerns (perimenopause, menopause, menstrual issues), thyroid dysfunction, fatigue, and chronic inflammatory conditions using individualized, evidence-informed plans.

• Digestive health: IBS, IBD, GERD, disorders of gut-brain interaction, infections like H. Pylori and SIBO, food sensitivities, chronic abdominal bloating and pain

• Hormone health: perimenopause, menopause, cycle irregularities

• Thyroid issues and metabolic health

• Chronic fatigue, immune support, and complex multisystem issues

What is Dr. Dominique’s expertise?

Dr. Dominique Vanier, ND, combines a strong scientific background and clinical experience to focus on complex digestive and hormone health: BScH (Chemistry), MSc, a four‑year Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, and a two‑year fellowship in gastrointestinal health with The Confident Clinician, and approximately 10 years in clinical practice.

• Academic training: BScH in Chemistry, MSc, and a 4‑year Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

• Regulatory: In good standing with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO)

• Fellowship: Completed a 2‑year fellowship in gastrointestinal health with The Confident Clinician

• Clinical experience: Approximately 10 years of patient care managing complex digestive and hormonal conditions

• Clinical education: Lectured to over 1,000 clinicians across Canada and the US on complex digestive topics and is a regular conference speaker to other clinicians

• Public education: Co‑founder of the Team Gut Girls podcast, providing evidence‑based digestive health education to the public and colleagues

Is naturopathic care ongoing or just as-needed advice?

Naturopathic care is ongoing — patients get the best results with scheduled follow‑ups, monitoring, and plan adjustments rather than a single, transactional visit.

• Ongoing care drives better outcomes: Regular follow‑ups let us track symptoms, review lab results, and refine treatments so improvements are sustained

• Adjustments based on data: We use testing and clinical response to tweak doses, change therapeutics, and prevent relapse

• Prevention and maintenance: After initial improvement, we move to maintenance visits to prevent recurrence and support long‑term health

• Collaborative relationship: Ongoing care builds clinical context and trust — you benefit from clinical nuance and continuity that one‑off advice can’t provide

Typical pathway: an investigative initial visit, 2–3 follow‑ups in the first 8–12 weeks to establish progress, followed by maintenance appointments every 3-4 months tailored to your needs.