How to Test for Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a condition in which a type of protein called amyloid adheres to internal organs throughout the body. Amyloid protein is created inside bone marrow and is considered an abnormal protein. Amyloidosis is uncommon and can affect many different systems in the body, including the digestive system, nervous system, kidneys, liver or heart. Fortunately, the condition can be managed with medication. Testing for amyloidosis includes collecting samples of blood, urine and tissue.

Things You'll Need

• Urine tests
• Blood tests
• Biopsies

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Instructions

• 1

  Educate yourself about the symptoms that are associated with amyloidosis, and report them to your doctor for further diagnostic testing. Amyloidosis can produce different symptoms in each person, depending on the area in which the proteins have accumulated. Symptoms include fatigue, losing weight quickly, diarrhea and numbness of your hands. Ankle swelling, heart arrhythmias and shortness of breath also can be signs of amyloidosis.

• 2

  Provide your doctor with a urnine sample. A clean catch urine specimen may reveal high levels of protein that are consistent with amyloidosis and may confirm a diagnosis.

• 3

  Blood tests may show an elevated level of abnormal proteins. The Amyloidosis Foundation reports that genetic testing also can be performed through blood testing. Some forms of amyloidosis are hereditary, and looking at the blood can help researchers and physicians determine the type of amyloidosis you may have.

• 4

  A biopsy of the suspected organ may be done. Tissue samples may be taken from the fat layer of the stomach, skin, rectum or bone marrow. According to the Mayo Clinic, a biopsy is the only definitive way in which a diagnosis of amyloidosis can be confirmed.