Life Insurance with Elevated Liver Function
Liver function tests are commonly administered when you apply for fully underwritten life insurance. Elevated liver function can signal specific health issues or impaired liver function. If you have elevated liver function, the good news is that you may still qualify for ‘Preferred’ health class ratings with some life insurance companies. If you’ve been declined for life insurance or received a substandard health class due to elevated liver function, it definitely makes sense to get a second opinion. Here is what you need to know about life insurance with elevated liver function.
Liver Tests and Life Insurance Underwriting
There are several liver function tests that are done during life insurance underwriting.
SGOT (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) or AST (aspartate aminotransferase) – Elevations of SGOT are caused by some type of liver damage that allows enzymes to “leak out” of cells. SGOT is produced by the liver but commonly rises from simple muscle trauma. SGOT levels can be elevated due to such impairments as hepatitis or even a heart attack.
SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) or ALT (alanine aminotransferase) – SGPT is the most specific liver enzyme. A higher reading of elevated SGPT means there is most likely greater damage to liver cells.
GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase or transpeptidase) or GGTP – Is a sensitive enzyme for the early detection of early liver disease or damage. It is an enzyme that will rise when the liver is actively trying to metabolize some types of drugs or toxins like alcohol.
Why are Liver Function Tests Important?
Your liver is a vital organ. It provides many important functions for the body. There are many health impairments that cause elevated liver function. Those impairments include:
- Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Fatty liver: associated with health issues such as diabetes, obesity, elevated blood fats, or excess alcohol
- Liver cancer or growth
- Alcohol Use
- Other medical issues such as gallstones, biliary obstruction and more
- Certain medications
Liver function tests are important to life insurance companies because elevated liver function can signal major medical impairments that can reduce life expectancy.
What do Life Insurance Companies Ask About Elevated Liver Function?
There are some very important questions that life insurance will want to ask about your elevated liver function. Those questions include:
- Date of diagnosis? Is it a new diagnosis or has it been present for some time?
- Have the results been increasing, decreasing or stable?
- Do you drink alcohol? How much and how often?
- Are you taking any medications that could have elevated your results?
- How elevated are your results compared to normal readings?
- Any other health issues?
- Did you have any kind of viral illness before you had your blood drawn?
- Have you been evaluated by your own doctor for elevated liver function?
The goal during underwriting will be to get a clear picture of what is causing your elevated liver function. In some cases, elevated liver function could simply be caused by such things as pregnancy or medications. In these cases, there probably won’t be much of an issue obtaining a “Preferred” health rating if you are otherwise healthy and the elevation is small. In other cases where elevated liver function is caused by major issues such excessive drinking, diabetes or hepatitis, “Preferred” rates won’t be available.
Shopping for Life Insurance with Elevated Liver Function
The best way to shop for life insurance if you have elevated liver function is to use an independent agency like ours. We are able to shop over 40 companies to find our clients the best coverage. There are a handful of companies out there that will offer their best health ratings for elevated liver function if you are in otherwise good health. The key is applying with the right company. We know which companies offer the most competitive rates for those who have elevated liver function. If you already have life insurance and you were given a substandard rating because of an elevated liver function, we may be able to help. We will take a look at your case to help you decide if applying for new coverage with another company makes sense. Give us a call for a complimentary consultation if you have any questions about life insurance with elevated liver function.
About Us
Archstone Insurance Services, LLC is an independent agency that shops over 40 of the top life insurance carriers to provide huge savings on life insurance coverage for our clients. We are happy to answer any questions you might have about any of the insurance products we offer, your planning needs or your existing coverage. Feel free to call us directly at (888) 687-9444 or email us at info@archstoneagency.com.
