What do they look for in bloodwork for life insurance?

To get the most accurate health results for your life insurance medical exam, avoid foods, drinks, and activities that can temporarily spike your blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar.

Most users on Reddit agree that proper short-term prep prevents false red flags on lab tests.

Food and Drink to Avoid

• Caffeine and alcohol: Avoid coffee, energy drinks, and alcohol for 24 to 48 hours, as they elevate blood pressure and alter liver enzymes.
• Salty, fatty, or sugary foods: Skip heavy, processed, or greasy meals for a couple of days to keep your cholesterol and blood sugar readings normal.
• The last-minute meal: Fast for 8 to 12 hours before your appointment if requested (usually overnight). Drink only water.

Activities to Avoid

• Strenuous exercise: Skip heavy workouts and the gym for 24 hours prior. Intense exercise can raise your pulse, blood pressure, and protein levels in your urine.
• Smoking or tobacco: Refrain from cigarettes, vaping, and tobacco products on the day of the exam, since nicotine and its byproduct (cotinine) are actively tested for.
• Rushing or stress: Arrive early and rest quietly before your blood pressure is taken so anxiety doesn't skew your vitals.

Medications and Supplements to Avoid

• Over-the-counter (OTC) meds: Avoid pain relievers (like ibuprofen), decongestants, and antihistamines for 24 hours, as they can raise blood pressure and blood sugar.
• Vitamins and supplements: Stop taking everyday vitamins, fish oil, and workout supplements 24 hours prior.
• Do NOT stop prescribed drugs: Continue taking all medications prescribed by your doctor for ongoing health conditions.

Many everyday habits, foods, and physical states can temporarily change your blood test numbers and throw off the results.

Diet, Hydration, and Substances

• Eating or drinking: Consuming food or sugary drinks before a fasting test raises blood sugar and triglyceride levels.
• Dehydration: Not drinking enough water concentrates your blood, which can falsely elevate markers like sodium or kidney function tests.
• Alcohol: Drinking alcohol shortly before a test can temporarily spike your liver enzymes and triglycerides.
• Caffeine: Heavy caffeine intake or energy drinks can alter blood sugar and inflammatory markers.
• Smoking: Using tobacco right before a draw can temporarily alter hormone and blood cell levels.

Medications and Supplements

• Over-the-counter and prescription drugs: Pain relievers, blood thinners, diuretics, and antibiotics can alter everything from your electrolyte balance to your liver enzymes and clotting times.
• Vitamins and supplements: High-dose Biotin (Vitamin B7)—often found in hair, skin, and nail formulas—can severely distort thyroid panels and heart attack markers. Other items like Vitamin C, creatine, or ashwagandha can also skew kidney, calcium, or cortisol readings.

Lifestyle and Physical State

• Vigorous exercise: Strenuous workouts right before a test can elevate muscle enzymes (like creatine kinase), inflammation markers, and liver values.
• Stress and sleep: Poor sleep or high emotional stress increases cortisol and adrenaline, raising blood sugar and altering metabolic results.
• Timing of the test: Hormone levels like cortisol and testosterone shift throughout the day, meaning an afternoon draw can look very different from an early morning one.
• Acute illness: Having a mild infection like a cold or the flu can temporarily raise inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP).

High cholesterol does not disqualify you from getting life insurance.

How Insurers View High Cholesterol

• Approval chance: Most life insurance companies approve applicants with high cholesterol.
• Cost impact: Well-controlled levels or a good cholesterol ratio can still qualify you for affordable rates. Uncontrolled levels may raise your monthly costs (premiums).
• Medication use: Taking medication to lower your cholesterol is viewed positively because it shows you manage your health.

What Underwriters Check

• Total-to-HDL ratio: A ratio below 5:1 is ideal and helps secure better rates.
• Component numbers: Insurers look at your LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and triglycerides.
• Overall health: Companies weigh your cholesterol alongside other factors like blood pressure, tobacco use, and weight.

Learn more about managing your options through Policygenius or review broader risk guidelines with Aflac.

Roughly 55% to 65% of people pass the life insurance licensing exam on their first try.

Key Pass Rate Details

• National Average: First-time pass rates generally cluster between 55% and 65%, meaning about 1 in 3 candidates fail their initial attempt.
• State Variations: Pass rates change depending on the state and specific exam type (such as a combined Life & Health exam versus a standalone Life Agent test). For example, standalone life exams or states without mandatory pre-licensing education can see first-time pass rates drop closer to 45% or 50%.
• Retakes: Candidates who fail and retake the exam pass at a lower rate on subsequent tries, usually dropping to 40% to 50%.
• Preparation Impact: Most industry data shows that candidates who complete structured pre-licensing courses and practice exams achieve significantly higher first-time pass rates (often exceeding 90%). Most users on Reddit agree that treating preparation seriously with dedicated study time is the primary factor in passing.

Yes, you generally need to fast for 8 to 12 hours before a life insurance blood test.

Why Fasting Matters

• Accurate results: Eating food can temporarily raise your blood sugar (glucose) and blood fat (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels.
• Fair pricing: Clear readings help the insurance company evaluate your health accurately so you get a fair rate.
• Allowed drinks: You should avoid all food and sugary drinks, but drinking plain water is strongly encouraged.

Tips for Your Appointment

• Schedule early: Book your exam in the morning so you can sleep through most of the fasting window.
• Check instructions: Always read the specific guide sent by your insurance company or ask your examiner beforehand.
• Avoid extras: Skip heavy exercise, alcohol, and caffeine for at least 24 hours before the test.
• Keep taking meds: Continue taking your normal prescribed medications unless your doctor or examiner tells you otherwise.