Everyday Wellness: Midlife Hormones, Menopause, and Science for Women 35+

Ep. 567 “Timing Is Everything” – The Best Way to Test Hormones, Cortisol & Thyroid for Real Answers with Dr. Carrie Jones | Menopause & Testing

Mar 14, 2026

Dr. Carrie Jones, a naturopathic physician and hormone expert with 20+ years in women’s health, breaks down why timing and test type matter for hormones. She explains saliva, urine, and DUTCH testing, how liver detox and T3 affect cortisol and thyroid activity, and what gut signs reveal about hormone elimination. Fast-paced, practical, and surprisingly fun.

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INSIGHT

Why Estrogen Metabolism Pathways Matter

Estrogen metabolism follows phase one (2-, 4-, 16‑OH pathways) then phase two conjugations (methylation, sulfation, glucuronidation) before excretion.
Favoring the 2‑OH pathway and intact phase II/III elimination reduces genotoxic quinone formation risk.

ANECDOTE

Injectable HRT Shifted Cynthia’s Estrogen Metabolism

Cynthia described shifting her metabolites to the 4‑OH pathway while on injectable HRT and later returning to the 2‑OH pathway after stopping that form.
This illustrated how HRT form can dramatically alter estrogen metabolism on DUTCH testing.

INSIGHT

Genes And Pollution Push Estrogen Into Risky Pathways

Genetics (CYP1B1) and environmental toxicants upregulate the 4‑OH estrogen pathway, increasing quinone formation and potential DNA damage.
Medications, alcohol, and nutrient deficiencies impair liver enzyme function and detox capacity.

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Today, I’m thrilled to reconnect with my friend and colleague, Dr. Carrie Jones. She is a naturopathic physician and hormone expert with over 20 years of clinical experience in women's health and endocrinology.

In our discussion, we unpack the limitations of traditional hormone testing and explore the benefits of saliva, urine, and blood testing for gaining a more accurate picture of hormone activity. We explore the critical importance of lab timing and how the DUTCH test evaluates estrogen, metabolism, and cortisol rhythms. We also examine how liver detoxification affects the active form of thyroid hormone, T3, across phases one through three, highlight signs and symptoms that indicate an imbalanced gut microbiome, and wrap things up with some rapid-fire questions about the things you’ve probably wanted to ask.

Stay tuned for another invaluable, humorous, and fun conversation with Dr. Carrie Jones.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

How blood tests give only a snapshot in time without clarifying hormone pulses or tissue utilization
How testing hormones at the wrong time can temporarily skew test results
The optimal timing for testing in women with regular cycles and those in perimenopause
What the DUTCH test measures
How regular vs. irregular cycles affect which hormones should be tested
Why the way that estrogen is metabolized matters more than the estrogen itself
How phases one, two, and three of liver detoxification influence estrogen, cortisol, and thyroid hormone activity
Why free T3 is critical for eliminating cortisol
What gut symptoms reveal about hormone elimination

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow

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Cynthia’s Menopause Gut Book is on presale now!
Cynthia’s Intermittent Fasting Transformation Book
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Connect with Dr. Carrie Jones

Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones - Podcast