Description
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin, Quantitative - Alpha-1-Antitrypsin level may be increased in normal pregnancy and in several diseases including chronic pulmonary disease; hereditary angioedema; renal, gastric, liver and pancreatic diseases; diabetes; carcinomas and rheumatoid diseases. Alpha-1-Antitrypsin may be decreased in emphysema, hepatic cirrhosis, respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn, nephrosis, malnutrition and cachexia. If a deficiency is present, aat phenotyping may be considered to confirm heterozygous versus homozygous deficiencies.
This test help diagnose alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.Alpha-1-Antitrypsin test measures the level of the protein AAT in blood. It evaluates the cause and risk of emphysema and/or liver dysfunction due to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.A low level of AAT in blood indicates you may have alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The lower the level of AAT, the greater the risk of developing emphysema. This test recommended for those who develop emphysema before age 40 and those who have a family history of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
