Find Affordable Life Insurance with Hyperthyroidism
Most people will be able to find affordable life insurance with hyperthyroidism. We will explain the medical conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism. Then, we will cover in detail how life insurers rate people who have this disease.
Always Buy Life Insurance Using an Independent Life Insurance Agent
I would start by saying that if you have any medical condition, you should always use an independent life insurance agent. The reason is that all medical conditions will be rated differently by the over 850 companies that operate in America.
Every life insurance company has their own “unique” underwriting guidelines. Some insurers are very rigid and conservative. There are many medical conditions these insurers will automatically decline.
Other insurers are more lenient but for different medical conditions including hyperthyroidism.
This is why you should always avoid applying directly to a life insurance company. The same applies to captive agents. They only represent a single company. You will have no choice in the rating they give you and the rates they charge. You also run the risk of being declined for coverage.
Independent agents such as the ones here at Abrams Insurance Solutions have access to dozens of companies. We can find the companies which have the most lenient underwriting guidelines for your medical condition. Additionally, this also allows us to find you the lowest premium rates.
Always ask if the agent you contact if they are an independent life insurance agent before you begin the application process. Call Abrams Insurance Solutions first at 858-703-6178 if you need to find low cost life insurance with hyperthyroidism.
Types of Thyroid Medical Conditions
There are 3 basic medical conditions involving the thyroid. I will also briefly provide an overview of these conditions to avoid confusion.
The 3 main medical conditions that can affect the thyroid include:
- Hyperthyroidism – This simply means that your thyroid gland is overactive. It is producing too much of the hormone known as “Thyroxine.”
- Hypothyroidism – Here, the opposite is true. There is an insufficient amount of thyroxine being produced.
- Thyroid Nodules – These are nodules that can develop in the thyroid gland. Most of these growths are benign (non-cancerous). However, in roughly 5% of cases these nodule(s) can turn out to be cancerous.
How Hyperthyroidism Impacts the Body
The thyroid gland has a very important function in how it impacts your body’s metabolism. The thyroid gland weighs less an ounce. It is shaped like a butterfly. It can be found just below your Adam’s apple.
The thyroid gland produces 2 main types of hormones including:
• Thyroxine (Known as T-4)• Triiodothyronine (Known as T-3)
Both of these hormones influence every single cell in your body. Basically, the thyroid gland acts as the body’s thermostat. The amount of hormones produced is also regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Some of the metabolic functions which the thyroid gland regulates include:
- Maintaining the rate in how your body uses fats and carbohydrates
- Controls your body’s temperature
- Affects your heart rate
- Regulates the body’s production of proteins
- Produces calcitron which is another hormone that regulates the calcium levels in your blood
When either of these two hormones, T-3 and T-4 over produce or underproduce, your body can incur a range of unhealthy medical conditions. The drop or increase of these hormones is because your thyroid has a disease.
Medical Reasons Which Cause Hyperthyroidism
As stated above, hyperthyroidism is an overproduction of these hormones. The condition can also affect finding affordable life insurance with hyperthyroidism.
Generally, hyperthyroidism runs in families. This suggests there may be a genetic factor involved. Hyperthyroidism also generally affects women more often than men.
There are several medical conditions which can cause hyperthyroidism. These conditions include the following:
Graves’ Disease – This is a result of an autoimmune disorder. It occurs when your immune system produces antibodies. These antibodies act to stimulate the thyroid gland in producing too much T-4 (Thyroxin). The antibodies mistakenly attack the thyroid. The medical reason they do so is unclear, but genetics may again play a role in this disease.
They also can attack the tissue behind your eyes which is a condition known as “Graves’ ophthalmopathy”. Another area of the body that these antibodies can attack is the skin. This usually occurs in the lower legs over the shins. The condition is called “Graves’ dermopathy.”
Hyperfunctioning Thyroid Nodules – 3 Different medical conditions can occur in this scenario. They include “Toxic Adenoma”, “Toxic Multinodular Goiter” and “Plummer’s Disease.”
These conditions occur when one or several adenomas of the thyroid gland begin to produce too much Thyroxin. Adenomas are a part of the thyroid gland which has walled itself separately from the gland. They form lumps which are non-cancerous and may result in the thyroid gland becoming enlarged.
Thyroiditis – This condition occurs when the thyroid gland becomes inflamed. The result can be a thyroid glandular leak of excessive thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.
Medical Conditions Resulting from Hyperthyroidism
The hormone production of the thyroid gland influences many aspects of the body’s metabolism. If untreated, these medical conditions can become more severe.
Consequently, this also impacts you when it comes to finding life insurance with hyperthyroidism. Some of the more serious medical conditions which can occur as a result include:
Heart Issues – The heart can be impacted with potentially serious consequences. The first possible heart issue is the development of an elevated heart rate (atrial fibrillation).
The second issue is congestive heart failure where an insufficient amount of blood is not being circulated to suit the body’s requirements. Both conditions can be reversed with suitable medical treatment.
Eye Problems – This includes Graves’ ophthalmology which we previously mentioned. The condition may entail bulging of the eyes where they protrude outwards and causes the tissues behind to swell.
Other eye issues may include the eyes to become very red or cause a burning sensation in the eyes. It may also include severe sensitivity to light or blurred vision. The medical condition can cause a loss of vision if untreated.
Osteoporosis – Also known as brittle or weakened bones. The condition occurs because the thyroid regulates how calcium is incorporated into the bones.
Skin Conditions – This also relates to Graves’ dermopathy where the skin becomes red and swollen particularly on the shins and feet.
Thyrotoxic Crisis – This occurs when you have major intensification of various physical symptoms. This may result in the development of a fever, a rapid pulse rate or even delirium. Medical care should be sought immediately should you experience any of these symptoms.
Other physical symptoms which can be indicative of hyperthyroidism include sudden weight loss or increased appetite. Other symptoms include tremors, excessive sweating and irritability or nervousness, changes in bowel patterns, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and can affect menstrual patterns.
People who are elderly may exhibit only minor physical symptoms or none at all. The reason is because many people who are older have high blood pressure. Many physicians will prescribe beta-blockers to treat high blood pressure. These beta-blockers can mask many of the physical symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Can Hyperthyroidism Be Treated?
The answer is yes and this is good news for those looking for life insurance with hyperthyroidism.
There are a variety of treatment options for hyperthyroidism. These include anti-thyroid medications and radioactive iodine. Both of the treatment methods are used to slow the production of the thyroid hormones. Other treatment options may include surgery where a portion or all of the thyroid gland is removed.
The majority of people who receive these treatment options will respond very well. The difficulty when it comes to finding life insurance with hyperthyroidism occurs when your physical condition becomes more severe. The most common reason is that the condition was untreated or you choose to ignore it.
Underwriting Guidelines for Life Insurance with Hyperthyroidism
For most thyroid conditions, finding affordable life insurance with hyperthyroidism, the key is whether your condition is under control. If the condition is under control and you are compliant with your doctor’s treatment, you can expect a favorable rating.
The main issues the life insurance underwriter will be looking is the following:
- Date you were given your diagnosis
- Format of treatment
- Medications prescribed
- Effectiveness of treatment
- Frequency the condition is being monitored
Keep in mind that when it comes to underwriting a life insurance policy many other factors are taken into account including:
- Age
- Gender
- Family history
- Smoking and alcohol consumption
- Height/Weight ratio
- Blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Driving record
- Other medical conditions
- Dangerous travel, occupation, and hobbies
All of these other factors can influence your rating for a policy. If you are in good health otherwise and the only issue is hyperthyroidism which is under control, the best rating you can expect will be “Standard.” This is the fourth-best rating available so premiums are fairly inexpensive.
Types of Available Life Insurance with Hyperthyroidism
For the above scenario, we are talking about life insurance with a medical exam. The policies you can consider are:
Term Life Insurance – This is the most basic form of life insurance available. It pays out death benefits only. It covers you for periods of time or term such as 10, 20 or 30 years. It is also the least expensive form of life insurance which requires a medical exam.
Permanent Life Insurance – This life insurance is more expensive. It provides coverage for life. It also provides not only death benefits but also has a cash accumulation feature that grows through the life of the policy. Examples of this type of life insurance include Whole Life and Universal Life.
There are also hybrid types of this policy. Most notably is Guaranteed Universal Life or GUL insurance. This policy is much more affordable. It uses components of a term policy but you can select the age you want for coverage. It does not have a cash value accumulation feature although some allow you to monetize your policy for an added expense.
Life Insurance Without a Medical Exam
These policies do not require a medical exam. The 2 main types include:
Simplified Issue – More commonly known as No-Medical Exam Life insurance. You select either term or permanent policies. No medical exam is required but you will be asked a series of health questions – usually around a half dozen.
Policies are slightly more expensive but rates are still competitive. Coverage amounts are lower but there is 1 company that offers up to $1,000,000 in coverage.
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance – Also known as Funeral or Burial Life Insurance. These policies do not require a medical exam and generally do not ask any health questions.
You should only consider this coverage if you have a life-threatening illness. Policies are available for term but most are for permanent policies. Coverage amounts generally do not exceed $25,000 and premiums are more expensive.
How to Find Low-Cost Life Insurance with Hyperthyroidism
er You should only buy life insurance through an independent agent such as the ones here at Abrams Insurance Solutions before you buy.
We have access to over 70 life insurers and can perform the comparison shopping for you. Our agents fully understand the underwriting guidelines of each life insurer. This allows us to find the most appropriate life insurance coverage and at the most affordable rates. We save you both time and money.
Our agents work for you and not the life insurance company. We provide the best life insurance solution for any situation and budget.
For information on other common conditions like diabetes type 1 or type 2, see our continuously updated pre-existing conditions page.
We also specialize in pre-existing health conditions. If you are looking for low-cost life insurance with hyperthyroidism then call Abrams Insurance Solutions at 858-703-6178 right now.