← Return to COPD: Is it genetic? alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Discussion

COPD: Is it genetic? alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Last Active: Oct 15 10:18am | Replies (19)
Comment receiving replies
@sakota

I have copd and. Just this past year have found out i am a alpha 1 carrier. So how do i know if my copd is caused from that or just luck of the draw. I go into a support group on facebook and from there it seems likeveverything i have is connected to alpha 1. For instance i had a hysterectomy from endrometrious. I have gerd. I get diverticulitus Had gall bladder removed so i run to the bathroom. Am diabetic. Had a heart attack. Have spinal stenosis. And i am getting tired. Most of the things have have happened since i was 62. I am now. 74. Since i am a carrier is there anyway to be certain that someof these things are connected to alpha. Oh also have lung cancer and skin cancer. Please excuse my spelling

Jump to this post

Replies to "I have copd and. Just this past year have found out i am a alpha 1..."
otterbein79 | @otterbein79 | Oct 7 7:43pm

What is your Alpha 1 Antitrypsin level?

VIEW AND REPLY
otterbein79 | @otterbein79 | Oct 15 10:04am

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

VIEW AND REPLY