Life Insurance Question

Anyone know what they are testing for when they take blood, etc before granting you life insurance?

Thanks!

Re: Life Insurance Question

Just about everything. I used to sell this stuff and mostly the usual suspects. Cholesterol, liver enzymes, nicotine/tobacco use (although that's more urine), drug use, and any other disease they can possibly detect in your blood.

Re: Life Insurance Question

1st thing I would say to see if you are a smoker! Then maybe check and see your cholestero to see if you are at risk!

Re: Life Insurance Question

Glucose

Glucose is a measure of the blood sugar level. Blood sugar varies depending upon the timing of the most recent meal. Significant elevations of blood sugar may occur in people with diabetes.

Fructosamine Glycated Albumin (AGP)
Hemoglobin A1C

Fructosamine and glycated albumin tests estimate average blood sugar levels over the 2-3 week period prior to the blood draw. Hemoglobin A1C (not performed on all applicants) is a method of estimating average blood sugar over the preceding 4-6 weeks. Elevated levels may be seen in some people with diabetes.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Creatine

Blood urea nitrogen and creatine tests are tests of kidney function. Elevated levels may occur in people with kidney disease, but there are other possible causes as well.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found primarily in liver and bone. Elevated levels may occur in people with certain liver or bone diseases, but elevations also occur in adolescents and pregnant women.

Total Bilirubin

Bilirubin is produced by the liver, primarily as a breakdown product of red blood cells. Elevated levels may occur with certain benign congenital metabolic conditions, but may also be seen in liver disease or blood diseases.

SGOT (AST)
SGPT (ALT)
Gamma Glutamyltransferase (GGT)

SGOT, SGPT, and GGT are all enzymes that are primarily produced in the liver, but also occur in muscle tissue, blood cells, and other tissues. Elevated levels may occur in a variety of liver disorders as well as other conditions.

Total Protein
Albumin
Globulin

Albumin and globulin are two types of proteins that circulate in the bloodstream. Total protein includes both albumin and globulin. Blood protein levels can be abnormal in a wide variety of conditions.

Re: Life Insurance Question

Thanks for the detailed reply!!


If blood sugar is being managed by meds, would that show in the tests?

Message edited 3/31/2007 9:06:05 PM.

Re: Life Insurance Question

Re: Life Insurance Question

The meds would most likely show up as well, and it would be on your doctor's report that you're being treated. If you try to hide something and it's discovered that will just prompt them to look with greater scrutiny too.

Re: Life Insurance Question

Thanks for the replies ... just didn't know what was involved since we've never gotten additional insurance other than what we get through work that doesn't require submitting blood, etc.