COPD: Is it genetic? alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

joan- If yo u are concerned you should ask her doctor.

drs don't because they don't know much about it.... so you do the asking. I found out thru dna testing at 23and me so then I asked my pulmongolist and then they drew the blood and sent it to mayo where it came back that I was MZ People need to keep track of their health.... I read the drs notes, look at the ct scans (of which I cannot figure anything out) but when the dr points out something I know what they are talking about. So please Colleen ask every question you can think of

I need spellcheck!!!!!!

You should be tested. If you are an Alpha you may greatly benefit from Prolastin-C infusions,

What is your Alpha 1 Antitrypsin level?

People with one gene can have symptoms

There are different levels of Alpha-1 tests. I’ve had about 8 from 2000 through this year and will be submitting vials of blood for more testing. My Phenotype is normal MM but my emphysema is “VERY SUSPICIOUS” for AlAD, which always appears on my imaging. My dad had chronic bronchitis, though he never smoked. He was tested and did NOT have A1AD.

They have testing that is a simple finger prick and drops of blood, swab on the inside of your cheek and now it appears vials of blood if they want to do more in depth analysis. They can tell your Alpha-1 level, your phenotype, and if you have a known variant of Alpha-1. I will be curious to find out what they learn from my vials of blood and will post anything I learn that may be of interest.

Sweetie, please don’t refer to yourself as an alpha-1 carrier. Knowledgeable specialist in alpha one will tell you that there is no such thing. You are am MZ Alpha. MZ alphas can be symptomatic, but their symptoms are generally not as great as ZZ alphas.

The presence of even one Z gene will reduce The level of Alpha one anti and in your bloodstream and therefore effect the amount of protection that you have from external factors. I am a ZZ never smoker & have a level of 17. My son is an MZ & has a level of 80. My niece is an MZ and her level is 120. My son has many more health issues than my niece As his level is closer to the bottom end of the acceptable range.

Alpha one is a multi tentacled monster. There are a lot of seemingly connected health issues that go along with Alpha one, but few have been definitively proved.

Find out the Alpha one level in your blood then have a serious talk with your doctor. If you’re alpha1, one level is low enough You may be able to get Prolastin-C infusions which will raise the level of alpha one in your bloodstream and give you protection From Alpha associated disorders

COPD is NOT hereditary! COPD is a condition caused by damage to your lungs.

Alpha one antitrypsin deficiency is hereditary. Alpha one Antitrypsin protect your lungs from damage. A person with Alpha one whether their genotype is MZ or ZZ has less antitrypsin in their bloodstream and therefore less protection to their lungs.

Alpha one antitrypsin deficiency is often called hereditary emphysema, but that is a misnomer as well.

If you smoked And have the gene for alpha one, you are in huge trouble. You will undoubtedly get COPD at its worst. And the bad thing is that if you get COPD and you smoked, they won’t even test you for Alpha one most of the time.

It all comes down to the level of Alpha one Antitrypsin in your bloodstream
ZZ Alphas have An incredibly low level of it in their blood and consequently usually end up with COPD. MZ alphas have a higher level in their bloodstream, but it all depends on The level they have plus other environmental factors as to whether they will have COPD.