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Editor’s note: First published September 2018 | Refreshed October 2025 with updated insurer guidance, mortgage protection examples, and full blood-condition cluster linking.
10-second summary: If your platelet count is stable and your consultant reports are clear, you can usually get life insurance and mortgage protection at a fair price. Severe or untreated cases may face a short postponement or higher premium.
Thrombocytopenia (a fancy word for a low platelet count) means your blood has fewer platelets than normal.
Platelets help your blood clot, so if you’re short on them, you bruise more easily or bleed longer after cuts. It can develop after certain medications, viral infections, autoimmune conditions or sometimes appear without a clear cause.
Most people already know their platelet numbers inside out, but the real question is what it means for your insurance.
The good news is that most people with mild or well-managed thrombocytopenia can still get cover in Ireland.
The challenge is that every insurer views it differently.
The main concern is the risk of bleeding. If your counts are steady and you haven’t had major symptoms, you can usually get standard or slightly loaded premiums. If your platelet levels are unpredictable or you’ve had hospital treatment, the insurer may postpone your application until things settle.
This is where using a specialist protection broker makes a difference.
We know which insurer will be the most flexible for your condition. Go direct to a bank and you risk weeks of delay or a straight decline.
Mortgage protection is the cover your bank requires before drawdown.
It clears your loan if you die during the term, but the payout goes straight to the lender, not your family.
If you have thrombocytopenia and apply through your bank, you could face a postponement while they “check with their insurer.” That delay can put your mortgage approval at risk. Working with a broker means we discuss your case with multiple insurers before submitting an application, so you only apply where you have the best chance of approval.
Result: You keep your mortgage on track and still get fair-priced cover.
When assessing any blood disorder, insurers ask for specific information:
The more information you provide upfront, the smoother the process. Insurers want to approve you; your consultant’s report helps them do that.
For a broader look at blood-related life insurance issues, see our complete guide to blood disorders and insurance in Ireland. If your concern is anaemia or vitamin B12 deficiency, or you’re managing haemochromatosis, you’ll find detailed advice in those articles too.
Essential Thrombocythaemia (also called Essential Thrombocytosis) is the flip side of thrombocytopenia — it’s when your bone marrow makes too many platelets instead of too few.
It’s classed as a myeloproliferative neoplasm (a slow-moving blood cancer), but most people in Ireland with ET live full, healthy lives with regular check-ups and mild treatment such as aspirin.
From an insurer’s point of view, the main concern is the risk of clotting. They’ll look at:
If your results are stable and you’re under specialist care, cover may still be possible — usually with a loading similar to mild ITP. More advanced or unstable cases can be postponed until your haematologist is happy with control.
If you’ve been diagnosed with ET, mention it when completing the blood-conditions questionnaire so I can match you with the insurer most experienced in these cases.
Pricing depends on platelet levels and medical history. For example:
If the standard price is €40 per month, a 100% loading means €80. Still affordable, especially when you match with the most understanding insurer.
A 36-year-old woman with ITP came to us after her bank postponed her application because her platelet count was around 54,000. After reviewing her consultant’s report, here’s how six insurers responded:
Over 25 years, that’s a €12,000 difference for the same cover. We went with Insurer E because they accepted her consultant’s report and avoided a full PMA medical. She was delighted.
Each insurer views medical issues differently.
Your job is to live your life. Ours is to know which underwriters are flexible, which are cautious, and which to avoid.
When you work with lion.ie, you won’t be filling out forms and hoping for the best. We present your case properly, handle the medical details, and get you covered quickly, whether you need life insurance or mortgage protection.
Ready to get a quote that fits your medical file? Complete our short blood conditions questionnaire and we’ll find the insurer most likely to approve you. No pushy sales talk, just straight advice.
Don’t let thrombocytopenia delay your mortgage or stop you protecting your family.
With the right help, you can get cover at a fair price without unnecessary stress.
If you’d like to compare how other blood conditions are treated, our blood disorder insurance hub has full details.
Nick McGowan nick@lion.ie | 05793 20836
As Ireland's leading life insurance broker, we specialise in comparing the rates and policies from the top five Irish life insurance providers and offering the very best value quotes to suit the individual needs of our clients. Our expertise lies in finding a suitable insurance plan for those with specific needs, be it a particular illness, occupation or claim history, we've got you covered in every sense!
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