Liver function tests are blood tests that evaluate how well the liver is working by measuring enzymes, proteins, and substances processed or produced by the liver. Panels typically include ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, GGT, bilirubin, albumin, and sometimes prothrombin time. Abnormal results can suggest liver inflammation, impaired bile flow, reduced synthetic function, or systemic conditions affecting the liver. For life insurance underwriting, liver function tests are standard components of lab work used to detect hidden liver disease, alcohol misuse, medication toxicity, or other health issues that impact mortality risk.

In practice, advisors see liver function tests referenced in underwriting reports and APS summaries when carriers evaluate applicants. Mild, transient abnormalities may be overlooked if fully explained by short term illness or medication use, whereas persistent elevations, particularly when multiple markers are abnormal, usually prompt further investigation. Underwriters may ask for ultrasound results, hepatitis panels, or specialist notes to determine diagnosis and prognosis. Applicants are sometimes surprised to learn about liver issues uncovered during insurance labs, which can motivate additional medical follow up. Advisors help clients understand that carriers rely on liver function tests not as a moral judgment but as an objective indicator of health risk. They also explore alternative product options, such as simplified issue or graded benefit coverage, when standard underwriting cannot approve preferred coverage. By understanding liver function tests and their implications, producers can better prepare clients for underwriting outcomes and support more informed decisions about coverage timing and product selection.