Symptoms & Signs
* Shortness of breath with and without exertion, and other symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
* Symptoms of cirrhosis
* Unintentional weight loss
* Wheezing
Diagnosis & Tests
A physical examination may reveal a barrel-shaped chest. Listening to the chest with a stethoscope may reveal wheezing or decreased breath sounds. The following tests may also help with diagnosis:
* Alpha-1 antitrypsin blood test
* Arterial blood gases
* Chest x-ray
* CT scan of the chest
* Genetic testing
* Pulmonary function test
Your doctor may suspected you having this condition if you develop:
* Emphysema before age 45
* Emphysema but have never smoked or been exposed to toxins
* Liver disease or hepatitis and no other cause can be found
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: Overview, Causes
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: Symptoms & signs, Diagnosis & Tests
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: Treatment
Review Date : 8/29/2008
Reviewed By : Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, WA; Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Reviewed By : Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, WA; Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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