need help

[dwiggins]

Does anyone know what Alpha-1 Antitrypsin is and if Copd is caused by it .? Thanks Debbie

[ELA1968]

Hi Im new here so thats why this is so long to get this response. I am researching alot of this right now and have a friend who has the alpha-1 and speaks at universities so she has helped me understand a bit. Antitrypsin is your protein levels. It is measured in mg/dl. There are 2 test tho that need to be done to find the alpha-1. They are of course blood work, but the other test is chromazone test where they test your DNA as my friend explained it. My doc just ran the first test only and found it was a little low so Im now going to a pulmonologist due to this low level and my family history cause yes, it is a genetic thing. Im also going on a nebulizer here monday for nothing is helping me be more active and my breathing is still difficult. So, lung specialist it is and they will be able to tell me more. Hope this helps :)

[Videobarbs]

For "need help" "dwiggins" - In case you didn't get an answer, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin is the genetic marker, so to speak, of genetically inherited enphesema (a COPD condition.)  There are blood tests to detect this.  I'm going to try and get one next month myself as both my parents had asthma/severe allergies.   Good luck!