About Alpha-1

• Considering Alpha-1 Testing
• Newly Diagnosed with Alpha-1
• Living With Alpha-1

Alpha-1 Symptom Checker

Find out if you are at risk and get personalized results with our symptom checker.

 

Alpha1Health.com Survey

Take our survey to help us best meet the needs of the Alpha-1 community.

 

View AAT Deficiency and Lung Damage Animation

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency* – Alpha₁ – is an inherited condition in which there are low levels or no levels of AAT in the blood.

*Also known as AAT Deficiency, AATD, A₁-PI deficiency, alpha-1 proteinase deficiency, A1AD, or hereditary or genetic emphysema.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), also known as alpha₁-proteinase inhibitor (A₁-PI), is an enzyme produced by the liver and released into the bloodstream. One of the primary roles of AAT is to protect the lungs from neutrophil elastase (NE), an enzyme released by white blood cells. Neutrophil elastase can attack healthy lung tissue if not controlled by AAT.

Individuals with AAT deficiency are at high risk for developing emphysema. In addition, approximately 10% of infants and 15% of adults with AAT deficiency experience liver damage.¹

The American Lung Association estimates that there are about 100,000 people with AAT deficiency in the United States.²