Familial Amyloidosis

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Familial Amyloidosis

Familial (hereditary) amyloidosis is a genetic form passed down in families that often affects nerves and kidneys. Familial or hereditary amyloidosis is the only inherited form of the disease. It occurs in members of most ethnic groups, and each family has a distinctive pattern of symptoms and organ involvement. Familial amyloidosis is though to be autosomal dominant, which means that only one copy of the defective gene is necessary to cause the disease. A child of a parent with familial amyloidosis has a 50-50 chance of developing the disease.

The most common form of familial amyloidosis is due to a mutation of transthyretin - a protein which transports thyroid hormone and vitamin A. This protein, manufactured in the liver, is abnormal in patients with familial amyloidosis but the disease usually does not manifest itself until the fourth decade onwards.

More Information on Amyloidosis

Primary Symptoms lichen macular

systemic

kidney

familial

coughing

picture secondary cardiac hereditary

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