Life Insurance Blood Test

Understanding your life insurance blood test

Your life insurance blood test results can be better understood with the following information in hand.

Remember, these blood tests are for the purpose of risk evaluation in obtaining life insurance only, and they are not a substitute for medical care.

It is important to understand there are many possible reasons for variations in blood test results. Only your Physician can diagnose a medical condition. If you have any questions or concerns about the blood test results, please discuss them with your personal Physician.

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.