What is Alpha-1 antitrypsin AAT phenotype?
Alpha-1 antitrypsin phenotype testing evaluates the amount and type of AAT being produced and compares it to normal patterns. Alpha-1 antitrypsin genotype testing (DNA testing) can be used to establish which SERPINA1 gene alleles are present, including the normal wild type M allele or variant alleles.
What is the normal level of Alpha-1 antitrypsin?
Most hospital laboratories report serum alpha1-antitrypsin levels in milligrams per decimeter, with a reference range of approximately 100-300 mg/dL. Levels less than 80 mg/dL suggest a significant risk for lung disease.
What does it mean if your Alpha-1 antitrypsin is low?
The low level of AAT means that lungs are not protected, and the liver is injured by the build-up of the protein there. Alpha-1 can cause lung problems in adults and liver problems in both adults and children. Some of these conditions can be life-threatening.
Do alpha-1 antitrypsin levels fluctuate?
Your antitrypsin levels will fluctuate a bit naturally, but do not drop with age or illness. Your levels will actually increase in times of stress or illness. Alpha1-antitrypsin is an acuteA condition or illness that usually has a rapid onset of symptoms and may resolve within days with or without treatment.
Does Alpha1 cause fatty liver?
When a person has alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, the AAT in the liver is abnormal and not released from the liver at a normal rate. “It accumulates in the liver, where it’s toxic to the liver cell, and can ultimately lead to inflammation, cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and liver cancer,” Dr. Donohue says.
Do Alpha-1 antitrypsin levels fluctuate?
What is alpha 1 testing?
Alpha-1 antitrypsin blood test. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a laboratory test to measure the amount of AAT in your blood.
What are the symptoms of alpha – 1 disease?
Most of the symptoms from alpha-1 are due to the effects in the lungs. Symptoms of Alpha-1 include: Shortness of breath. Wheezing. Frequent colds, flu, or bronchitis.
What is low alpha 1?
Alpha-1 occurs when there is a low level or insufficient amount of A 1AT protein in the blood. When this happens, there is not enough A 1AT traveling to your lungs. The low level of A 1AT in the blood occurs because misfolded A 1AT cannot be released from the liver at a normal rate.
What is Alpha One Foundation?
The Alpha-1 Foundation (A1F) is a non-profit voluntary organization dedicated to providing the leadership and resources that will result in increased research, improved health, worldwide detection, and a cure for alpha-1.