Apolipoprotein B100, usually shortened to ApoB , is the structural protein that sits on every atherogenic particle in your blood: LDL, VLDL, IDL, and Lp(a). Each particle carries exactly one ApoB molecule, so an ApoB test tells you the particle count driving plaque formation, not just how much cholesterol those particles are carrying. For many people in Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge, Ontario, measuring ApoB is the most direct way to understand hidden cardiovascular risk.

Lipoprotein(a)—often written as Lp(a)—is a cholesterol-carrying particle that behaves like LDL but with an extra protein called apolipoprotein(a) attached. This add-on changes how the particle interacts with the body: Lp(a) is more likely to promote plaque formation, trigger inflammation, and impair the body’s ability to break down clots. Elevated Lp(a) is a powerful, inherited risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and aortic valve disease that standard cholesterol panels oft

Androgenic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern baldness, is a biologically programmed process in which susceptible hair follicles gradually produce thinner, shorter hairs over time. The pattern is typically bitemporal recession and thinning at the crown that can merge into more diffuse loss. While age and family history set the stage, the key driver is the interaction between androgens—especially dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—and genetically sensitive follicles. DHT, 5-Alpha Reductas

Hemochromatosis is a condition in which the body absorbs and stores too much iron. Over time, that excess iron deposits in the liver, pancreas, heart, pituitary gland, and testes. When iron injures hormone-producing tissues, testosterone can drop. Many men chase quick fixes for fatigue or low libido without realizing iron overload may be the driver. For patients in Kitchener-Waterloo, recognizing this link can prevent years of missed diagnoses and help restore long-term metab

Rybelsus is the first oral form of semaglutide, a GLP-1 medication designed to help adults with type 2 diabetes improve blood sugar control. Many people in Kitchener-Waterloo also notice appetite reduction and gradual weight loss as a secondary benefit. Because it is a daily tablet rather than an injection, Rybelsus can fit smoothly into busy routines across Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph. At True North Metabolic , we use Rybelsus as part of a larger plan that incl

Zepbound is a once weekly medication that targets two gut hormone pathways, GIP and GLP 1. It is designed for adults living with obesity or with excess weight and weight related health risks. In Kitchener Waterloo many people want a plan that reduces appetite, stabilizes energy, and fits real life. Zepbound can help when it is paired with a simple routine for eating, movement, sleep, and follow up. At True North Metabolic we use Zepbound within a physician led program so that

Low testosterone (hypogonadism) is usually tied to common issues such as obesity, sleep apnea, medications, or aging. But a small subset of patients in Kitchener-Waterloo present with symptoms that don’t fit the usual pattern. Identifying rare causes matters because the treatment plan, long-term outlook, and family implications can be very different from routine cases. Below are five uncommon but clinically important causes of low testosterone, with plain-language explanation

Dutasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor approved for enlarged prostate, not for male pattern hair loss. Using it for hair loss is off-label . Even so, some patients in Kitchener-Waterloo consider dutasteride when finasteride is not enough or when hair loss is progressing quickly. The decision should be individualized, with a clear discussion of benefits, risks, and alternatives. How Dutasteride Works Dutasteride blocks both type I and type II 5-alpha-reductase, the enzym

Finasteride is one of the most studied treatments for male pattern hair loss. It targets dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that shrinks hair follicles in genetically susceptible men. For many people in Kitchener-Waterloo, it offers a practical path to slow shedding, thicken existing hair, and maintain results long term when used consistently. How Finasteride Works Finasteride blocks the type II 5-alpha-reductase enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT in scalp follicl

Fat burner supplements promise rapid results with minimal effort. Many combine stimulants, botanical extracts, and metabolic enhancers in one capsule. The problem is straightforward. The same mechanisms that raise metabolism, suppress appetite, or increase thermogenesis can also stress the liver. Reports of hepatitis, cholestasis, and even liver failure linked to fat burners have appeared repeatedly over the last two decades. Understanding how these products damage the liver

Oxandrolone, better known as Anavar, gets marketed in gyms and forums as the “safe” oral. It isn’t. It’s a 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic steroid built to survive first-pass metabolism, and that chemical tweak brings the same core hazards seen with other orals: liver stress, distorted blood lipids, blood-pressure rise, endocrine shutdown, and real psychiatric side effects. The fact that oxandrolone feels tamer in the short term is exactly why people underestimate it. Liver: Alky

Oxymetholone (Anadrol) Oxymetholone is an oral 17-alpha-alkylated steroid designed to survive first-pass metabolism. That chemical tweak makes it harsh on the liver. Oxymetholone commonly triggers cholestatic injury, where bile cannot flow properly, leading to jaundice, dark urine, and pale stools. Case series describe peliosis hepatis, a condition where blood-filled cysts develop in liver tissue and may rupture. Cardiometabolic harm is also profound. Oxymetholone can increas

Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) is a simple way to estimate how resistant your body is to insulin using two routine lab results: fasting glucose and fasting insulin. Insulin resistance means your cells are less responsive to insulin’s signal, so your pancreas has to produce more insulin to keep blood sugar in range. Over time, that higher insulin demand is linked to weight gain around the midsection, fatigue after meals, elevated triglycerides, fa

Cambridge Ontario Weight Loss Clinic Looking for a weight loss clinic in Cambridge, Ontario that combines medical expertise with practical, real-life coaching? True North Metabolic is a physician-led program in nearby Kitchener that welcomes Cambridge residents from Galt, Preston, and Hespeler. We focus on safe, sustainable results, using individualized nutrition, strength-focused activity plans, sleep and stress strategies, and medications when they’re appropriate. Many pa

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An overview of fatty liver disease diagnosis and treatment in Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge-Guelph Ontario

True North Metabolic is a physician-led men’s health clinic and weight loss clinic for all adults and pediatrics. We support patients across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, and surrounding communities, including the Toronto and GTA corridor and London, Ontario. Our approach to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is careful, evidence-informed, and personalized. We focus on clear assessment, shared decision-making, and close follow-up. Our Philosophy Low testoste

Improving metabolic health is essential for maintaining energy, managing weight, and preventing chronic diseases. I have seen firsthand...