Your Perimenopause Cheat Sheet: 5 Labs Every Woman Over 40 Needs

Aug 12, 2025

Navigating your 40s? Discover why common symptoms like fatigue and weight gain might need more than just aging to explain them. Learn about the essential lab tests every woman should consider, including thyroid panels, hidden iron issues, and B12 deficiencies. Understand the significance of vitamin D and insulin testing in managing your health. This insightful discussion reveals how to take charge of your well-being and find the answers your body has been hinting at.

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INSIGHT

Don't Blame Age Alone

Symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and brain fog are often mislabeled as "just perimenopause".
Dr. Keri Jones says labs can reveal other treatable causes and prevent misdiagnosis.

ANECDOTE

Women Often Get Dismissed

Dr. Keri Jones shares that many women are dismissed when they report symptoms.
She emphasizes that proper labs often provide answers clinicians overlook.

ADVICE

Test Beyond TSH For Thyroid

Do request a full thyroid panel including TSH, free T4, and free T3.
Also ask for thyroid antibodies and consider reverse T3 when clinically indicated.

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You’ve been told it’s just perimenopause. That fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, and hair loss are normal once you hit 40. But what if it’s not “just your age”? What if there’s something else going on, and no one’s bothered to test for it?

In this episode, I’m walking you through the five lab tests every woman over 40 should ask for, especially if you’re feeling off but keep getting brushed off. Because perimenopause might not be the whole story.

We’re talking thyroid panels (not just TSH), hidden iron issues, sneaky B12 deficiencies, low vitamin D, and why blood sugar and insulin testing matters more than ever after 40. If your doctor’s only testing the basics, this episode is your script for what to ask for next.

Because guess what? There are answers, and there’s help. Let’s find what your body’s been trying to tell you!

What's Discussed:

(00:00) Essential Health Labs Over 40

(01:03) Thyroid Testing: Why TSH Isn’t Enough

(04:39) The Hair Loss + Fatigue Link

(07:12) B12 Deficiency and Autoimmune Absorption Issues

(09:38) Low Vitamin D: The Silent Energy Drain (10:38) The Real Reason You’re Tired, Moody, and Gaining Belly Fat (14:26) Optimal Lab Markers for Health (Not Just “Normal”)

Thank You To Our Sponsor:

Timeline Nutrition: If you’re feeling tired, foggy, or drained during perimenopause, Timeline’s Mitopure Gummies support your energy from the inside out. Powered by clinically proven Urolithin A, they help your cells clean out damaged mitochondria and build new, stronger ones. If you’d like to give it a try, visit timeline.com/drcarrie and get 20% off.

✍️ FREE GUIDES:

Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101
The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist
The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom
Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause

LETS CONNECT:

Dr. Carrie Jones:

Website: www.drcarriejones.com

Newsletter:https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter IG: dr.carriejones

TikTok: @drcarriejones Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones

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