Iron deficiency is a large part of a naturopathic practice. Some patients will just need help with iron prescriptions and blood monitoring for adequate prescription and for ending the prescription. But many patients will have iron deficiency that does not respond to iron supplementation. These cases are perfect for Naturopathic Doctors. Because we look at the whole body and we assess system by system for the root cause of an issue, our patients often learn and therefore optimize their health in significant measures. As iron is a nutrient, it makes sense that Naturopathic doctors are comfortable with dealing with iron and other possible nutrient deficiencies as well. Sometimes iron deficiency is the only clue to a significant health challenge and this lecture will help elucidate many root causes for case resolution.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lecture, the clinician should be:
- Familiar with how to diagnose different types of anemias based on MCV and then be able to further diagnose low iron, high iron, iron transporting issues, iron storage issues, and inflammation
- Comfortable with iron and the biochemistry of absorption, transportation, and utilization
- Comfortable with the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. As well as be comfortable with looking at causative agents
- Confident in looking as associated iron deficiency factors such as vitamin C, vitamin D, copper, and zinc deficiencies
- Comfortable looking at iron through the lens of thyroid conditions and pediatric health
CE Credits
CONO: Category A –1.0 credit (General)
Dr Carissa Doherty, ND
Dr Carissa Doherty Naturopathic Doctor. She completed her premedical studies at the University of Guelph obtaining a Specialized Honours degree in Bio-Medical Toxicology. During her undergraduate years, Carissa was fortunate enough to be one of the first people in Canada to work in product development with inulin, a complex carbohydrate, now used widely in the supplement industry as a pleasant tasting fibre.
In 2002, Carissa received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and remains a member in good standing to this day.
Dr Carissa Doherty, ND, and her sister Dr Sonya Doherty, ND, founded The Natural Care Clinic in Burlington in 2005. The Natural Care Clinic is an internationally recognized centre of care and education. The Natural Care Clinic team is committed to improving awareness about chronic disease and how Naturopathic Medicine can improve quality of life. Their approach to treating chronic illness has become world renowned drawing patients to the Natural Care Clinic from all over Ontario, Canada, the United States, Asia and Europe. The Natural Care Clinic team, led by Dr Carissa Doherty ND, provides educational conferences for healthcare providers focused on management of complex disorders.
In addition to a general family practice, Dr. Carissa Doherty takes a special interest in Lyme disease and chronic infections, methylation medicine and environmental medicine and has an advanced training in Lyme disease.
