Why Felix is Launching On-Demand Diabetes Care

Diabetes is more common than you think 

Every 3 minutes, one person in Canada is diagnosed with diabetes¹. This means diabetes likely affects someone you know. The complications of diabetes can be debilitating for families and communities and currently costs the Canadian healthcare system billions of dollars a year. 

30% of Canadians are thought to be living with diabetes or prediabetes¹, yet it remains difficult to access ongoing support. At Felix, we believe expanding diabetes care beyond reactive interventions to a more proactive, patient-focused approach, like early diagnosis and ongoing maintenance, can help Canadians with their long-term health.

Barriers to diagnosis and support

Proven treatment strategies for diabetes have existed for decades, but there are still significant barriers to care. One of the biggest challenges is getting diagnosed in the first place. Out of the 12 million Canadians estimated to be living with diabetes or prediabetes, one-third are undiagnosed¹. Some folks might not recognize their symptoms or know how to identify their risk level, while others may avoid seeking help due to fear of judgment.

Even those who have been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes have difficulty finding support due to barriers like long wait times or significant travel distance to in-person care. This lack of timely access can lead to increased medical emergencies. The harsh reality is that 1 in 7 ER visits in Canada are for conditions like diabetes that could potentially have been managed in primary care².   

Contrary to popular belief, diabetes isn’t a self-inflicted condition and doesn’t happen as a result of poor lifestyle habits alone. Factors like genetics, family history, and environment can all play a role in its development. Regardless of the underlying causes, access to regular testing is crucial — it’s the only real way to understand one’s risk level, detect imbalances, and reach an accurate diagnosis.

Why proactive care matters

Metabolic conditions like diabetes can develop silently, meaning the warning signs are often subtle, and many folks may not notice symptoms until they become serious. Detecting diabetes or prediabetes early allows for timely interventions, whether through lifestyle adjustments or medical treatment, and the opportunity to significantly reduce the chances of experiencing complications in the future. 

Even after a diagnosis, proactive care is essential for those living with diabetes. Regular testing helps folks monitor their health to stay ahead of potential complications, while ongoing treatment plan support can help maintain a better quality of life.  By staying informed, day-to-day management of this condition can become more sustainable and have a lasting impact on long-term health.

Diabetes is complex. If left unmanaged, it can lead to serious complications, including kidney disease, nerve damage, vision loss, and even heart attack or stroke. Beyond the physical complications, diabetes can also take a toll on mental health, contributing to stress, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness. That’s why taking a proactive approach is critical — not just to reduce the risk of complications but to support overall well-being and allow Canadians to feel more comfortable navigating this condition.

Diabetes shouldn't be scary

We believe everyone deserves a simpler way to find out where they stand and manage their diabetes diagnosis confidently. The more convenient it is to get tested and find support, the easier it is for Canadians to take proactive steps to maintain their overall health and, ultimately, feel in control of their future. 

That’s why we’re proud to launch our new diabetes care program, designed to give Canadians on-demand support for diabetes, prediabetes, and high cholesterol — so they can stay on top of their metabolic health as a whole. The program offers a thoughtful and in-depth approach to care from diabetes informed practitioners. This includes comprehensive testing, detailed diagnoses, and customized treatment plans to suit each patient’s unique needs, symptoms, and lifestyle.

Here's how the program works

Get tested: Patients start by completing a short online questionnaire about their health history. Then, they’ll receive a lab requisition to complete their metabolic health panel. Our comprehensive Metabolic Health Test looks at all key metabolic markers, including blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and kidney, liver, and thyroid function. 

If a patient already has a diagnosis and recent lab work (within the last 6 months), they can upload those results during their online visit, and a healthcare practitioner will review and confirm their diagnosis.  

Review your results and treatment options: A metabolic health-informed healthcare practitioner will review each patient’s results and provide a detailed diagnosis of prediabetes, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, if applicable. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, their healthcare practitioner will discuss their treatment options and provide a personalized plan. If the patient decides to move forward with care, their treatment plan will be discreetly delivered to their door with fast and free shipping. 

Receive ongoing care and support: Our healthcare practitioners monitor each patient’s lab results and send regular testing reminders to help them stay on track. Patients can also message their healthcare practitioner through chat at any time with questions or concerns. Plus, we’ll provide ongoing, automatic deliveries to help patients more conveniently manage their treatment (if using a Felix pharmacy).

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No one should feel afraid of a diagnosis or uncertain about where to turn for support. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to be offering on-demand diabetes care at Felix. We hope that by providing access to convenient testing and personalized guidance, Canadians can feel more empowered to take control of their health — on their terms. 

Click here to learn more about how diabetes care and metabolic health testing work at Felix

Though we believe access to virtual care can help support those with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol, we recognize that certain metabolic conditions require in-person care. Our program isn’t suitable for patients with type 1 diabetes, severe kidney disease, retinopathy, increased cardiovascular disease risk, or those who are currently pregnant or on insulin.