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10-second summary: Whether your thyroid is underactive or overactive, you can still get life insurance at the standard price — as long as your condition is under control and your blood tests are stable. Some insurers are more understanding than others, so it pays to go through a broker who knows which is which.
If you’ve ever googled your condition before applying for life insurance, you’ve probably seen horror stories about sky-high prices or policies being declined outright.
Let’s clear that up straight away — thyroid issues are extremely common in Ireland, and insurers see them every day. In most cases, you’ll pay exactly the same as someone without a thyroid condition.
When an insurer looks at your application, they’re mainly interested in whether your condition is stable and well managed. If you’re taking your medication, your thyroid function tests (TFTs) are within the normal range, and you don’t have any related heart or autoimmune issues, you’ll almost certainly get the normal price.
They might ask for extra details like when you were diagnosed, what medication you’re on, and whether you’ve had any recent follow-ups. But that’s all routine — nothing to stress about.
You can fill in this quick thyroid questionnaire and I’ll send you a quote that already takes your condition into account.
An underactive thyroid happens when your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. It can make you feel tired, cold, or just not yourself. Most people are treated with medication like Levothyroxine or Eltroxin, which keeps everything balanced.
From an insurance point of view, if you’re on regular medication and your bloods are steady, you should get the normal rate. Even if your hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto’s disease — which is technically an autoimmune issue — it’s treated the same way by insurers. If you’ve had recent tests or dosage changes, it’s still fine once your results have stabilised.
If you want me to check how the insurers will see your case, just complete the thyroid questionnaire and I’ll talk to the five Irish insurers confidentially on your behalf. That way, you’ll know who’s likely to offer you cover — and who to avoid — before you apply.
With an overactive thyroid, the gland produces too much thyroid hormone, which can cause symptoms like anxiety, weight loss, or a racing heart. The main causes are Graves’ disease or a goitre, and treatment can include medication, radioactive iodine, or surgery.
The good news?
If it’s under control and you’re seeing your GP or specialist regularly, life insurance companies won’t hold it against you. You’ll still qualify for the normal rate.
We’ve arranged plenty of policies for people with overactive thyroids who now barely think about it — one client even joked that the most stressful part of the process was filling out our form, not getting approved.
If you want to see what your premium might look like, complete this thyroid questionnaire. I’ll use that info to chat to the underwriters (no names attached) and get you a fair quote before you go near an application.
If you’ve had your thyroid removed for a benign reason — for example, a goitre or overactivity — and have fully recovered, it won’t affect your premium at all.
The only time an insurer digs deeper is if your surgery was related to thyroid cancer.
Thyroid cancer sounds terrifying, but it’s actually one of the most curable cancers out there. Most people make a full recovery and go on to live completely normal lives. From an insurance point of view, you’ll usually need to wait a few years after treatment before applying — that’s just standard for any cancer history — but once your follow-ups are clear, cover is very possible again.
Most people with thyroid issues can get serious illness cover and income protection at the normal price. The only exceptions are if your thyroid problem is linked to another condition or has caused complications. Otherwise, insurers see it as low-risk.
As always, the trick is to apply to the right company first time around. Some are automatically cautious, others are far more pragmatic — and that’s where having a broker who’s seen it all makes the difference.
If you’ve got a thyroid condition, getting life insurance shouldn’t be a hassle. You just need someone to make sure your story is told properly and your application lands on the right desk.
Complete this short thyroid questionnaire and I’ll check with all five insurers to see who’s best for you — no medicals, no surprises, and no pushy follow-ups. Or if you’d prefer to chat, you can schedule a quick call with me here.
We’ve helped loads of people with thyroid issues get approved at standard rates. You’ll be grand.
(This guide replaces our older posts on underactive and overactive thyroids — all updated for 2025.)
Written by Nick McGowan, QFA RPA APA
Nick is a qualified financial advisor and founder of Lion.ie, an independent Irish life insurance and income protection brokerage based in Tullamore. He’s been helping people get fair, transparent cover for over 15 years — and was named Protection Broker of the Year 2022.
If you’d like straight answers (without the sales pitch), learn more about Nick here.
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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