Elevated Liver Enzymes Life Insurance (Here’s How You Get Approved!)

Don’t let elevated liver enzymes stop you from getting affordable life insurance.

Elevated Liver Functions Overview

Are your elevated liver enzymes due to a “known” or “unknown” medical condition?

Underwriters look at:

• Which tests are elevated
• The number of high liver functions
• How elevated above-average range, the tests are
• Underlying medical conditions
• Any evidence of liver disease

Elevated liver functions are a common digestive system underwriting issue.

Working with life insurers specializing in high-risk to get the best rate possible is essential.

How Do Liver Enzyme Lab Results Affect Life Insurance?

You’re probably wondering how far outside of the normal range are your labs if you were rated or declined.

Below are general guidelines for one elevated liver function.

• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) – Normal range is 44-147 (IU/L)
  • 3-5x normal range = standard rates
  • Greater than 5x normal = postpone/decline
• Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) – Normal is 45 U/L
  • Less than 4x normal = Standard rates
  • 4-5x normal = Table 2 rating
  • Greater than 5x normal = postpone/decline
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) – Normal is 45 U/L
  • Less than 5x normal = Standard rates
  • Greater than 5x normal = postpone/decline
• Bilirubin – Normal range is 0.3 – 1.2 mg/dl
  • Less than 6.0 mg/dl = standard rates
  • Greater than 6.0 mg/dl = postpone/decline
• Gamma Glutamyl Transferase – Normal is 65 U/L
  • Less than 4x normal = standard rates
  • 4-5x normal = Table 2 rating
  • Greater than 5x normal = postpone/decline

Underwriting becomes more complicated for multiple elevated results.
For example, underwriters look at how high above average the enzyme results were:

• ALP greater than 1.5x normal
• ALT and AST above 50 U/L
• Bilirubin greater than 2 mg/dl
• GGTP above 65 U/L

With 2 or more elevations:

• Less than 2x normal = standard rates
• 2-3x normal = Table 2
• 3-4x normal = Table 4
• 4-5x normal = Table 6
• Greater than 5x normal = postpone/decline until evaluated.

Something to keep in mind is that these are general guidelines. Your outcome could be better or worse.

Elevated Liver Enzymes Underwriting

We use a quick quote process.

Quick quotes allow us to reach out to all life insurers that understand liver enzymes.

We summarize your medical information and have underwriting feedback in 3-5 days.

At that time, you’ll know what to expect regarding underwriting and price.

Declined Due to Elevated Liver Enzymes?

Denied life insurance?

Some life insurers specialize in liver enzyme underwriting,

While other companies want nothing to do with you.

If one company declines you, that does not mean all companies will reject you.

Table Rated Due to Elevated Liver Enzymes?

The insurance company may offer you a policy with a table rating expense.

Underwriting may tell you that a better rate is available if you complete additional testing.

Please don’t do it! At least not yet. 

The best thing you can do is accept that rated policy temporarily.

We will then shop the market to see if a better rate exists before you complete additional tests.

Why do you ask?

While many elevations are temporary, some turn out to be serious health issues.

The insurance company will rescind your offer if your repeat tests are unfavorable.

Severe liver problems are difficult and expensive to insure.

Can I get life insurance with elevated liver enzymes?

Yes, you can get life insurance.

Underwriters look at your lab test results for AST, ALT, bilirubin, GGTP, and ALP.

Were elevations due to:

• Liver disease
• Illness
• Medications
• Alcohol
• Something else

In our experience with underwriting health issues, most elevations of liver enzymes will not stop you from getting insured.

But, you may have to wait until follow-up tests are completed, or you may pay more than people without liver issues.

Health problems that may elevate liver enzymes

The following health issues are known to cause problems.

Hepatitis – is a severe inflammation of your liver that may lead to cirrhosis of your liver if untreated.

Read More: Hepatitis Life Insurance

Cirrhosis – is irreversible scarring and damage to your liver.

Cirrhosis is a significant health problem,

And most cases make you uninsurable with life insurers.

Alcohol Abuse – May cause significantly elevated liver enzymes.

Some health issues, such as ulcerative colitis, may elevate liver functions.

Things That Elevate Enzymes

Exercise – Exercise temporarily elevates liver functions.

Liver enzymes stay elevated for hours after exercising. 

Do not exercise on the day of your paramed exam.

Make sure you read our paramedical exam tips for the best results.

Medications – Aspirin, and Tylenol, may elevate your liver enzymes.

Tell your paramed examiner about any medications taken,

Including over-the-counter medications.

Prescription medications may elevate liver enzymes.

Dilantin, Truvada, phenobarbital, antibiotics, acne treatment medications, and arthritis medications all elevate enzymes.

Some herbal remedies tend to elevate liver enzymes.  

Sickness – If you are sick or just had an illness, postpone your exam.

Liver enzymes elevate when you’re sick.

Medical conditions like Crohn’s disease and HIV may elevate liver functions.

Alcohol and life insurance exams – Even an occasional glass may elevate your liver enzymes.

It is best to avoid alcohol for a few days before your paramed exam.

We can always reschedule your paramed exam.

I have elevated liver enzymes; now what?

A letter to the underwriter can resolve some temporary elevations.

In more severe liver enzyme elevation, underwriters will ask for additional testing before they’ll consider life insurance.

Whatever your situation is, we’ll review and decide the best steps to take moving forward.

Lab Tests for Liver Enzymes

Liver enzyme tests by life insurance companies include:

GGTP

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase – Also known as GGT test.

GGTP levels greater than 65 U/L are significant.

AST

Aspartate Aminotransferase – also known as Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transferase (SGOT)

AST levels greater than 45 U/L are elevated.

ALT

Alanine Aminotransferase aka Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transferase (SGPT)

ALT levels greater than 45 U/L are considered elevated.

Bilirubin

Life insurers may decline Bilirubin levels greater than 6.0 mg/dl.

Conclusion

Each life insurer has its own set of guidelines regarding liver enzymes. 

Based on your medical history. we’ll know the best life insurance companies.

We’ll explain which companies are best and why.

By Michael Horbal – Updated on 01/27/2023