One of the most valuable tests she recommends is Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), which provides a long-term look at nutrient levels, mineral imbalances, and heavy metal exposure. Since minerals are the foundation of optimal hormone function, ensuring they are in balance is key to feeling your best. Tara also highlights the importance of stool testing for gut health and explains why she considers blood work essential for tracking long-term trends in metabolic and hormonal health.

On the flip side, she advises against spending money on hormone testing (like the DUTCH test) in perimenopause, as hormone levels fluctuate too much to provide reliable data. She also discusses why organic acids tests and food sensitivity panels often lead to unnecessary treatments instead of addressing root causes. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by lab testing options, this episode will give you clarity on where to focus your efforts—and your budget.

In this episode:

The problem with unnecessary lab testing – Many women waste money on tests that don’t provide useful insights.
HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) – A must-have test that offers a deep look at mineral levels, nutrient imbalances, and heavy metals affecting hormone health.
Stool testing – Essential for gut health, which impacts everything from digestion to hormone metabolism.
Blood work – Important for tracking metabolic trends, inflammation markers, and overall health over time.
Why hormone testing isn’t helpful in perimenopause – Hormone levels fluctuate daily, making tests like DUTCH unreliable for assessing estrogen and progesterone levels.
Why organic acids and food sensitivity tests aren’t necessary – These tests often lead to additional unnecessary testing instead of targeting true root causes.
How to make informed choices – Focus on testing that provides actionable data and long-term health benefits.

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Mentioned in this episode:

BON CHARGE - Save 15% when you use Tara's code: THORNE15

HRT Made Simple™ - Learn how to confidently speak to your doctor about the benefits of hormone replacement therapy so you can set yourself up for symptom-free, unmedicated years to come without feeling confused, dismissed, or leaving the medical office minus your HRT script.

Hair Loss Solutions Made Simple™ – This course will teach you the best natural, highly effective, and safe solutions for your hair loss so you can stop it, reverse it, and regrow healthy hair without turning to medications.

The Hormone Balance Solution™ – My signature 6-month comprehensive hormonal health program for women in midlife who want to get solid answers to their hormonal health issues once and for all so they can kick the weight gain, moodiness, gut problems, skin issues, period problems, fatigue, overwhelm, insomnia, hair/eyebrow loss, and other symptoms in order to get back to the woman they once were.

[FREE] The Ultimate Midlife Perimenopause Handbook - Grab my free guide and RECLAIM your confidence, your mood, your waistline and energy without turning to medications or restrictive diets (or spending a fortune on testing you don’t need!).

Episode 29: President Xi’s terrible year: Taiwan, Hong Kong and the coronavirus