Life insurance with thyroid conditions
Thyroid conditions are among the most common medical conditions in the UK, affecting roughly one in twenty people. The good news is that most thyroid conditions have minimal impact on life insurance. Whether you have an underactive thyroid on levothyroxine or a more complex history involving Graves' disease or thyroid surgery, cover is almost always available.
Jump to a specific condition:
The short answer
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) controlled on levothyroxine is almost always insured at standard rates with no loading. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) depends on treatment and control, but most people get standard or near-standard terms once stable. Thyroid conditions are very common and very insurable. The only scenario that complicates things significantly is thyroid cancer, which is assessed under cancer underwriting guidelines.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid condition in the UK. Your thyroid does not produce enough hormones, and you take levothyroxine to replace them. For insurance purposes, this is one of the most straightforward conditions to deal with.
What insurers ask
- When were you diagnosed?
- What medication are you taking and at what dose?
- Are your thyroid levels controlled? (i.e. is your TSH within the normal range on your current dose?)
- What is the underlying cause? (Hashimoto's, post-surgical, other)
- Any associated conditions? (particularly autoimmune conditions)
- Are you under GP or specialist care?
Typical underwriting
Standard rates in almost all cases
Hypothyroidism controlled on levothyroxine with stable TSH levels is treated as a non-issue by the vast majority of UK life insurers. No loading, no exclusion, no special terms. This applies whether you take 25mcg or 200mcg - the dose does not matter provided your levels are controlled.
Uncontrolled hypothyroidism (fluctuating TSH, frequent dose changes, ongoing symptoms despite treatment) may prompt a minor postponement until things stabilise. This is rare and usually temporary.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
Hyperthyroidism means your thyroid produces too much hormone. It is less common than hypothyroidism and slightly more complex for underwriting, but still very insurable once treated and controlled.
What insurers ask
- What is the cause? (Graves' disease, toxic nodule, other)
- What treatment have you had? (carbimazole, propylthiouracil, radioactive iodine, surgery)
- Are your thyroid levels now controlled?
- Any complications? (thyroid eye disease, heart rhythm problems, bone density issues)
- Are you now hypothyroid as a result of treatment? (common after radioactive iodine or surgery)
- Any ongoing symptoms?
Typical underwriting
Treated and controlled (stable for 6+ months)
Standard rates or minor loading (up to 25%). If you are now hypothyroid post-treatment and stable on levothyroxine, you are typically assessed as a straightforward hypothyroid case.
Under active treatment (carbimazole, not yet definitive)
Minor loading (25-50%) or postponement until definitive treatment is complete. Some insurers prefer to wait until you have had radioactive iodine or surgery and are stable.
With complications (eye disease, cardiac effects)
Loading depends on the complication. Thyroid eye disease alone is usually minor. Atrial fibrillation or other cardiac effects are assessed under the cardiac guidelines and may attract a more significant loading.
Overactive thyroid? The details matter.
Whether you're on carbimazole, had radioactive iodine, or are post-surgery, the right insurer depends on your specific treatment stage. Our specialist brokers can give you a clear answer.
Get QuoteGraves' disease
Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition and the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. For insurance purposes, it is assessed primarily based on whether your thyroid function is now controlled, rather than the Graves' diagnosis itself.
Key underwriting factors
Thyroid function controlled (either on long-term low-dose carbimazole, post-radioactive iodine, or post-thyroidectomy and now on levothyroxine) - standard rates or minor loading. The Graves' diagnosis itself is not the concern; it is whether your hormone levels are stable.
Thyroid eye disease (Graves' ophthalmopathy) - if mild and stable, it usually adds only a minor consideration. If severe or requiring ongoing immunosuppressive treatment, it may attract its own loading.
Other autoimmune conditions - Graves' disease sometimes co-occurs with other autoimmune conditions (Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anaemia). Each condition is assessed individually, and the combination may affect terms.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition and the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The thyroid gradually becomes underactive as the immune system attacks it. For insurance purposes, Hashimoto's is treated essentially the same as hypothyroidism.
Typical underwriting
Standard rates
Hashimoto's controlled on levothyroxine with stable thyroid levels is assessed identically to straightforward hypothyroidism. Standard rates, no loading. The autoimmune element does not typically add a loading unless you have multiple autoimmune conditions.
After thyroidectomy (thyroid surgery)
A thyroidectomy (partial or total removal of the thyroid) may be performed for hyperthyroidism, a large goitre, thyroid nodules, or thyroid cancer. How insurers assess you after thyroidectomy depends entirely on why the surgery was performed.
Typical underwriting by reason
Thyroidectomy for benign conditions (goitre, nodules, hyperthyroidism)
Once recovered and stable on levothyroxine replacement, standard rates or minor loading. Recovery typically takes 3-6 months before insurers will assess. Histology confirming benign tissue is helpful.
Thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer
Assessed under cancer underwriting guidelines. See the thyroid cancer section below and our cancer and life insurance guide for full details.
Had thyroid surgery?
The reason for your thyroidectomy determines your insurance terms. Call our partner brokers with your surgical history and current medication for a clear picture.
Get QuoteThyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is the one thyroid condition that is assessed more seriously for insurance purposes. However, it is worth noting that thyroid cancer generally has an excellent prognosis, particularly papillary and follicular types, and insurers reflect this in their terms.
What insurers ask
- What type of thyroid cancer? (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic)
- What stage and grade at diagnosis?
- What treatment did you have? (surgery, radioactive iodine ablation, external radiotherapy)
- When did treatment finish?
- Any recurrence or spread?
- Current thyroglobulin levels (a marker for recurrence)
- Are you on TSH-suppressive levothyroxine therapy?
Typical underwriting
Papillary or follicular thyroid cancer (early stage, fully treated, no recurrence) - many insurers will offer terms from 2-3 years post-treatment with a moderate loading that reduces over time. By 5 years with no recurrence, near-standard or standard rates are achievable.
Medullary thyroid cancer - less common and viewed more cautiously. Longer waiting periods and higher loadings. Specialist insurer usually required.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer - rare and aggressive. Significant underwriting challenges. Very limited options on the standard market.
For a comprehensive overview of cancer and life insurance, see our full cancer and life insurance guide.
The honest answer
Thyroid conditions are genuinely one of the easiest medical conditions to insure. If you have an underactive thyroid on levothyroxine with stable levels, you should expect standard rates from virtually every insurer. An overactive thyroid adds a small amount of complexity, but once treated and stable, the terms are good. The only scenario that requires specialist guidance is thyroid cancer, and even then the prognosis for the most common types is excellent, which insurers acknowledge. Do not let a thyroid condition put you off applying.
How thyroid conditions affect premiums
| Condition | Typical impact on life insurance |
|---|---|
| Hypothyroidism (controlled) | Standard rates - no loading |
| Hashimoto's (controlled) | Standard rates - no loading |
| Hyperthyroidism (treated, stable) | Standard to minor loading (0-25%) |
| Graves' disease (controlled) | Standard to minor loading (0-25%) |
| Post-thyroidectomy (benign) | Standard rates once recovered |
| Thyroid cancer (papillary/follicular, 5+ years clear) | Standard to minor loading |
Indicative only. Actual terms depend on your full medical history and the specific insurer.
Critical illness and income protection
Critical illness cover is generally available alongside life insurance for most thyroid conditions. Hypothyroidism and controlled hyperthyroidism typically have no impact on critical illness terms.
Income protection is similarly unaffected for controlled thyroid conditions. Unlike some other conditions, thyroid problems rarely result in income protection exclusions, as they are well-managed with medication and do not typically cause prolonged absence from work.
Put your policy in trust
Regardless of your thyroid condition, every life insurance policy should be written in trust. This ensures the payout goes directly to your beneficiaries without probate delays or inheritance tax. Our partner brokers set this up at no cost on every policy.
Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning
Frequently asked questions
Does taking levothyroxine affect life insurance?
No. Levothyroxine is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the UK, and it has no impact on life insurance premiums in the vast majority of cases. It simply replaces the hormone your thyroid is not producing. Insurers view it as effective, low-risk treatment.
Do I need to declare my thyroid condition on my application?
Yes, you must declare all diagnosed conditions and medications. However, disclosing a controlled thyroid condition will not increase your premiums with most insurers. Not disclosing it could invalidate your policy entirely.
I have both Hashimoto's and another autoimmune condition. How is this assessed?
Each condition is assessed individually. Hashimoto's itself is typically standard rates. The other autoimmune condition is assessed on its own merits. Having multiple autoimmune conditions does not usually create a compounding effect unless one of them is particularly serious.
I had radioactive iodine treatment for an overactive thyroid. When can I apply?
Most insurers will consider your application once your thyroid levels have stabilised post-treatment, typically 3-6 months after radioactive iodine. If you are now on levothyroxine with stable levels, you are likely to get standard or near-standard terms.
Will my thyroid condition affect mortgage protection insurance?
For hypothyroidism, no. You should expect the same rates as someone without a thyroid condition. For hyperthyroidism or a history of thyroid cancer, the same principles apply as for any life insurance - controlled conditions attract minimal loading.
Get the right cover for your thyroid condition
Most thyroid conditions have no impact on premiums. Call our partner brokers with your diagnosis and medication details, and they'll confirm your options in minutes.
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