Alpha-1 Antitrypsin
Alternate Names : AAT or A1AT
DefinitionThis test measures the amount of alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT) in your blood serum.
Why is the Test Performed?
This test is helpful in identifying a rare form of emphysema in adults and a rare form of cirrhosis in children. In the absence of A1AT, certain digestive enzymes released by white blood cells may go unchecked and cause widespread damage in the lungs and liver.
Everyone has two copies of the gene that makes A1AT. Most people with the disease have one normal gene for A1AT, and only one abnormal gene. These people will have lower than normal levels of A1AT, but not as low as people who have 2 abnormal copies and generally more severe disease.
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