Liver enzymes are proteins produced by the liver that help drive chemical reactions involved in metabolism, detoxification, and other vital functions. Commonly measured enzymes include ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, and GGT. Elevated liver enzyme levels in blood tests can indicate liver inflammation or damage due to conditions such as fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, alcohol use, medication effects, or bile duct problems. In life insurance underwriting, abnormal liver enzymes are red flags that trigger additional questions, medical records requests, and sometimes postponements until the underlying cause is clarified and stability is demonstrated.

In everyday underwriting scenarios, advisors encounter liver enzyme issues when preliminary lab results show elevations, even in otherwise healthy clients. Underwriters may request APS reports from primary care physicians or hepatologists, imaging studies, or follow up labs to differentiate benign, reversible causes from serious chronic disease. Clients who drink heavily, take certain medications, or have metabolic syndrome may need lifestyle changes and physician supervision to improve readings before coverage is approved. Advisors play a key role in explaining why carriers are concerned, gathering detailed histories about alcohol consumption, medications, and past liver evaluations, and setting realistic expectations about potential ratings or delays. Understanding liver enzymes helps producers interpret underwriting feedback, reassure clients that many mild abnormalities are manageable, and encourage proactive healthcare that benefits both insurability and overall wellness.