Expert: Neha Dahiya MD - 6/30/2009

Question
My husband and I applied for life insurance and I his bloodwork was fine--however, a letter came back to me denying coverage.

My labs were normal except for the following. Can you tell me what these results give an indication of? And the best way for a person without health insurance to proceed?
Full blood chemistry
Fructosamine- 1.150
SGOT-128.
SGPT-265
GGT-405
CDT-SUFA
LDH-248
Specific gravity1.043

Also my husband scheduled the test and it was to be a fasting test--as I was unaware--I had just eaten.

Answer
Hello Liz:

All these test are for assessing the function of the liver. All of them are elevated indicating some kind of liver disease.

Certain types of food and medication can affect this test that is why you need to be fasting before the test.

One option is to repeat the test after an appropriate period of fast. (generally overnight) Do not eat anything after dinner and skip food  in the morning before the test.

If they are still high further test will be required along with a completer physical exam by a physician to arrive at a specific diagnosis.

I am  sorry but I do not know how to handle this if there is no insurance coverage.