Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) life insurance
It is impossible to prevent an underactive thyroid, although it can be treated successfully with hormone tablets. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is usually caused by your immune system attacking your thyroid gland, causing damage to it.
People with an underactive thyroid can usually get life insurance quickly and easily through most insurers. The key thing is to make sure that you get the best cover to protect your family and you pay a fair price.
Some of the main signs of underactive thyroid are:
- Unexplained weight gain
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Depression or anxiety
According to recent figures from the National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE), approximately 2% of the population in the UK suffers from underactive thyroid. It is also suggested that women are as much as 5 to 10 times more likely to be affected than men.
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About life insurance for underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection can all provide you with cover for Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), or problems connected to it.
Does life insurance payout for underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)?
YES – if you die from an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or something linked to it then your family will be protected.
Even though this condition is not considered to be life-threatening, there are some occasions when it can be fatal. An underactive thyroid if not treated properly can cause potentially life-threatening complications such as:
- Heart disease
- Myxoedema
In the event of something happening to you, your life insurance will pay a cash lump sum to your family.
Can I claim on critical illness cover for underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)?
There are some conditions that are linked to underactive thyroid that can trigger a payment on most critical illness policies.
Other conditions covered by critical illness cover policies include:
You could get a payout for thyroid cancer that can be linked to an underactive thyroid
More about CRITICAL ILLNESS COVER
Will income protection payout for underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)?
If you need to have time off work because of your health then you should be able to claim on an income protection policy. As long as your condition was not pre-existing when you originally bought your cover then you should be covered.
You should be able to claim on your cover for 12 or 24 months while you are unable to work so you can continue to afford to pay your bills.
If you were already diagnosed with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) when you originally bought income protection, then this might be excluded. You should check your policy documents if you aren’t sure or check with your insurer to confirm your policy details.
Income protection will payout for an underactive thyroid to cover:
- Household bills
- Rent and mortgage payments
- Loan repayments
- Cost of living
You can usually cover up to 60% of your gross income which is the standard amount allowable by most insurers.
Life insurance with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
If you’ve been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid then you should be able to get life cover through most insurers.
Can I get life insurance with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)?
YES – in the majority of cases you should be able to get life cover at an affordable price and instantly available. This also means that when you apply you shouldn’t need a medical or nurse check-up.
If your condition is treated with hormone tablets and you have mild to moderate symptoms, then cover will be readily available.
Where symptoms are more severe or if there are other health complications then there may be other things to consider. Some of the usual health or medical complications that are linked to an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) are:
It’s important to pay a fair price for life insurance with any pre-existing medical condition. The most crucial part is to make sure that you apply to the best insurer based on your health.
You’ll be asked questions about your medical history and specifically about your thyroid, including:
- Are you currently awaiting any treatment, surgery, scans, or investigations?
- Have you been told your thyroid function is now normal?
- Have you been told you have a thyroid lump, cyst, or nodule?
- Do you have fast or slow heart rate, heart problems, visual problems, or memory loss?
- When did you first have symptoms?
If you don’t know the answers to some of these questions then you can refer to your GP for further clarifications.
Will I need a medical for underactive thyroid life insurance?
It’s standard for insurers to request further medical information from your GP or a medical professional. You might be asked for either of these:
- Medical report (from your GP)
- Nurse check-up (blood tests and medical check)
If you’re asked to provide any of these then you shouldn’t worry because it’s normal for many applications.
All you should need to do is to sign or verbally approve that you agree for the insurer to request this information.
Best life insurance for underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
There are several different types of life insurance, critical illness, and income protection style policies to choose from. You just need to consider what you want to protect and what’s important to you before you take out cover.
Term life insurance with underactive thyroid (family protection) is a type of cover that will pay out a lump sum if you die. You should be able to get this type of policy if you’ve been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. Your family will receive a level lump sum payment if you pass away during the term.
Mortgage life insurance with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is very similar to family protection apart from the amount of cover reduces. This type of cover is specifically designed to protect a repayment mortgage (capital and interest). You should also be able to get mortgage protection with this type of condition.
Critical illness cover with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is usually possible and often can be available instantly. As long as your hormone levels are normal and you don’t have any other health problems then cover should be affordable. There are lots of options so make sure that you choose what’s right for you.
Income protection with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is often available through most insurers, and you should have plenty of options. If you’ve already got this condition then you might have exclusions on your policy if your symptoms are moderate or severe, so check your documents.
Family income benefit with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is another option for life insurance, and sometimes can be a more affordable option. You should also be able to get this cover with this type of condition and premiums should be reasonable.
Whole of life insurance with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can provide a guaranteed cover for inheritance tax planning and legacy planning. Premiums for this type of cover will be higher as the payout is guaranteed, regardless of when you die.
Medical conditions linked to an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Some of the main conditions that are associated with an underactive thyroid and often found in combination with this disease are:
- High cholesterol
- High BMI
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Graves disease
- Coeliac disease
- Carpel tunnel syndrome
Any of these conditions should also be considered by life insurance providers so the cover should be available.
Common questions about underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Here are just a few of the most common questions that people ask about underactive thyroid and living with this condition.
| What happens when your thyroid is low? | Several common symptoms are often found to be caused by an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Hypothyroidism is where your thyroid gland produces low levels of thyroid hormone into your bloodstream. The results of this can include tiredness, unexplained weight gain, and a low tolerance for cold temperatures. |
| What foods should you avoid if you have an underactive thyroid? | There are some foods and nutrients that can be harmful to people with hypothyroidism, which can seem strange: Soy-based foods Vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, cauliflower, and cabbage Fruits (e.g. peaches and strawberries) High starch plants (e.g. sweet potatoes, and cassava) Nuts and seeds |
| Does underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) shorten your life? | If the condition is well managed and controlled then there is no reason why this should impact life expectancy. Learn more – Average life expectancy UK |
Useful resources
Here are some useful resources that we have found which might be helpful to find out more information about this condition:
