Turn lab values into clear, actionable clinical insight for holistic nutrition clients.
As a holistic nutritionist, you already know how to build personalized protocols. But intake forms and symptom pictures only tell part of the story. To make assessments more complete, this lab diagnostics course helps you understand what is happening biochemically and read, interpret, and apply diagnostic lab data with confidence.
This course bridges that gap between holistic assessment and lab interpretation.
You’ll learn how to interpret the lab tests clients are most likely to bring you, from standard bloodwork to urine and saliva panels, and translate those results into meaningful, defensible recommendations within your scope of practice. Taught by a licensed naturopathic doctor who orders and interprets these tests in clinical practice, this lab interpretation training bridges textbook reference ranges with real-world clinical reasoning.
Recommended text: Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic Tests—Dr. David has the 4th Canadian edition in his practice (being that he’s in British Columbia) but any Canadian edition is OK if you are practicing in Canada. The third, published in 2023, is probably ideal. The American version is in its 8th or 9th edition. All of the information that you need will be on the PowerPoint slides but it’s nice to have the digital or hard copy version as a clinical reference. You can buy most versions on Amazon.
Dr. David Duizer is a naturopathic doctor with over a decade of clinical experience, practicing out of his two Vancouver clinics, Noble Naturopathic West Broadway and Noble Naturopathic Downtown. He holds a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, an MBA, and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), a combination that shapes his uniquely performance-driven, business-savvy, and evidence-based approach to patient care.
Dr. Duizer’s clinical focus has evolved over his career from treating complex chronic disease including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and autoimmune conditions into longevity, high performance, and optimal wellness.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to confidently interpret lab results across:
• Liver and kidney function: what elevated or low markers actually mean for your client’s health
• Digestive health markers: connecting lab findings to gut function and nutrient absorption
• Thyroid and adrenal panels: separating true dysfunction from normal variation
• Lipid panels: moving beyond “good and bad cholesterol” to real risk assessment
• Blood sugar and diabetes markers: early detection and monitoring tools
• Heavy metal testing: what the results mean and when further workup is warranted
Lab data gives holistic nutrition practitioners something symptom tracking alone cannot: an objective measure of progress. When you can point to a client’s improving markers over time, you build trust, demonstrate the value of your protocols, and refine your recommendations based on real physiological change, not guesswork.
You’ll leave this course able to read a lab report with stronger clinical confidence, not just identifying what is “in range” or “out of range,” but understanding why each marker matters and how it fits into the bigger picture of your client’s health.
DATE: Tuesday July 14
Introduction to laboratory medicine; Introduction to functional assessments; Introduction to the systems approach; Understanding the cardiovascular assessment – lipids, inflammation, glucose control, nutrient deficiencies; Conditions – high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack risk reduction
Core concepts include:
This session establishes fertility literacy as an essential extension of holistic nutrition practice, especially for women’s health.
DATE: Tuesday July 21
Glucose, insulin, and continuous glucose monitoring; The complete thyroid panel, functional thyroid assessment
DATE: Tuesday July 28
Blood, urine, and saliva hormone assessments – timing and interpretation; Fertility and pregnancy testing; Conditions – weight gain, hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes, PMS, low testosterone, menopause
DATE: August 4
Food allergy, intolerance, and sensitivity testing; Leaky gut testing, histamine, and diamine Candida Testing; Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis and GI Map; Ova and Parasites; Conditions – IBS, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac disease, GERD, allergies, eczema, psoriasis
DATE: August 11
Liver function testing; Gastric and pancreatic function testing; Conditions: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis, gallstones, chronic pancreatitis, functional elevated liver enzymes
DATE: August 18
Urinalysis, urine toxicology screen and basic renal functioning; Renal disease and renal function testing; Serum Chemistry – Electrolytes; Adrenal panels – timing, medium and optimization; Conditions: adrenal insufficiency, kidney infections, nephritis, polycystic kidney disease, bladder infections, anxiety
DATE: August 25
Introduction to hematology; CBC, iron, B12, homocysteine; Vitamin and Mineral Testing; Heavy Metal Testing – Hair Mineral Analysis; Mold Toxicity Testing; Conditions: osteoporosis, muscle and ligament injuries, fatigue, depression, insomnia
DATE: September 1
Neurotransmitter testing; Tumor marker assessments; Screening exams; Metabolism markers; Conditions: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, series of different types of cancers, MS, GB, MG
If your schedule doesn’t allow you to attend classes in real time, join us through recordings. Many of our Continuing Education students are busy practitioners and professionals, balancing work, family and other commitments so we understand that flexibility is necessary. Replay access and completion options are arranged on a case-by-case basis to ensure you still receive the full educational value of the course and have engagement with the faculty member and other registrants. You also have the option to earn the Certificate of Completion if you’re able to complete the required test or assignment by the due dates.
If you’re interested in accessing replays or exploring flexible participation options with your schedule, please contact Julia Briski at julia@instituteofholisticnutrition.com for more information.
Please review IHN’s Online & In-Class Continuing Education Course/School Policies
THE DAY BEFORE the course starts registered students will receive an email with LINKS to:
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