Amyloidosis (excess amyloid protein) can increase the risk of kidney failure and heart failure. Amyloid is an abnormal protein that when it builds up in organs and tissues it can affect how they function and look which can lead to serious health consequences – primarily amyloidosis which can be life-threatening to organs. Amyloid is produced in bone marrow and can deposit itself anywhere in the body.

Common areas of the body which can be affected by amyloidosis and amyloid buildup are the heart, liver, spleen, central nervous system, and the digestive tract.

Causes and type of amyloidosis

The main cause of amyloidosis is the deposits of amyloid proteins but depending on the formation of the amyloid deposits that greatly determines how serious amyloidosis will be. There are different types of amyloidosis including:

• Primary (systemic AL) amyloidosis: No apparent cause, blood cancer may be possible cause. Systemic refers to it affecting the entire body but focuses on the liver, heart, kidney and intestines.
• Secondary (systemic AL) amyloidosis: Caused by another chronic inflammatory disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis and some cancers. Commonly affects the spleen, kidneys and liver.
• Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA): Common in seniors who have been on dialysis for over five years. Commonly affects bones, joints and tendons.
• Familial, or hereditary, amyloidosis: Rare form of amyloidosis which is passed down through families. Caused by an abnormal amyloid protein called transthyretin (TTR) protein which is made in the liver.
• Senile systemic amyloidosis: Formed by normal deposits of normal TTR in the heart or other tissues.
• Organ-specific amyloidosis: Build up of amyloid protein in single organs.

Amyloidosis symptoms

Often amyloidosis can go symptomless for quite some time until the condition is quite severe. Furthermore, depending on the organ affected that can determine the symptoms as well. Common symptoms associated with amyloidosis are:

• Swelling of ankles and feet
• Severe fatigue and weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Numbness, tingling or pain in hands or feet – carpal tunnel-like symptoms
• Diarrhea, possible with blood or constipation
• Feeling full without consuming large amounts of food and experiencing significant weight loss
• Changes to skin like bruising, thickening
• Irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty swallowing

Amyloidosis diagnosis

Due to the symptoms of amyloidosis overlapping many other conditions it can be challenging to diagnose it. A medical history ad a physical exam is the first step to amyloidosis diagnosis. Other tests which can help diagnose amyloidosis include:

• Laboratory tests like blood and urine samples. Your doctor may also check your liver and thyroid as well.
• Biopsy can be taken from affected tissue like from the abdomen, bone marrow or the affected organ.
• Imaging tests can show how severe the disease is for example and echocardiogram can check size and functioning of the heart.

Amyloidosis treatment

Treatments aim to reduce symptoms of amyloidosis and reduce further production of amyloid proteins as there is currently no cure for the disease. Treatments for amyloidosis include:

• Chemotherapy
• Peripheral blood stem transplant
• Treating the underlying condition for example switching from dialysis to another form of treatment or targeting the anti-inflammatory condition responsible for amyloidosis
• Pain medications
• Fluid retention medications
• Blood-thinning medications
• Medications to control heart rate

Because amyloidosis can be life-threatening to organs it’s important you get tested early on so that treatment can begin right away before more serious complications occur.

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