![Man playing the guitar.](/dist/images/patient/whatisalpha1_hero_mobile_2x.webp)
Understanding your Alpha-1 deficiency starts here.
What to know about Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)
Normally, Alpha-1 antitrypsin protein helps keep enzymes in balance.
You need the Alpha-1 antitrypsin protein to keep a certain enzyme from attacking healthy parts of your lungs. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency means there is little to no Alpha-1 antitrypsin available, and your lungs can become damaged from smoking or inhaling something harmful.
A severe Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can lead to emphysema.
Emphysema is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath, with symptoms that can get worse over time. Doctors encourage people with Alpha-1 deficiency to quit smoking, avoid secondhand smoke, and limit exposure to dust and fumes.
Alpha-1 deficiency*
can run in families.
Alpha-1 deficiency is a genetic condition that is passed on from parents to children. Symptoms may appear in people between 20 and 50 years old. Genetic testing can tell you if Alpha-1 deficiency runs in your family. Talk to your doctor about family testing to find out if others have the genetic mutation that causes Alpha-1 deficiency.
*Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is sometimes referred to as Alpha-1 deficiency.
What are signs and symptoms of Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)?
People with AATD may have these symptoms:
- Ongoing cough
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness or heaviness
- Reduced exercise ability
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Frequent lung infections
These are also symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.† It can be caused by Alpha-1 deficiency. Sometimes, people with Alpha-1 are diagnosed with asthma first because wheezing is a symptom of both asthma and AATD.
Having these symptoms may not mean you have Alpha-1 deficiency—and sometimes people with Alpha-1 don’t have these symptoms at all. If you have concerns, you may want to have a conversation with your doctor. You can ask about a test to check the level of Alpha-1 antitrypsin protein in your blood, especially if you have relatives with Alpha-1 deficiency.
†GLASSIA is not intended to treat COPD or asthma.
Alpha-1 deficiency is a condition you’ll manage throughout your life.
At least 100,000 people in the US have Alpha-1 deficiency, and more than 90% don’t know they have it. Once you are diagnosed, your doctor will talk to you about ways you can manage your condition throughout your life. There is no cure, but there are ways to manage this condition. One way is augmentation therapy, where medicine is given through a vein, or intravenously (IV) for patients with severe Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency with clinically evident emphysema. This infusion helps increase the levels of Alpha-1 antitrypsin protein in your body. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and any questions you may have about family testing, living with Alpha-1 deficiency, or augmentation therapy.
![Shannon, a real GLASSIA patient, playing the guitar.](/dist/images/patient/shannon_with_guitar.avif)
Before my diagnosis I was very physically active. Then I suddenly just didn’t have the stamina I used to. My doctor ran some tests and I found out I had Alpha-1 deficiency. I hadn’t even heard of it.
SHANNON
Real GLASSIA patient since 2022
Guitar enthusiast
Infuses at home with a
nurse where it's most
convenient for him
![](/dist/images/patient/teardrops.webp)
Stay connected. Stay informed.
Sign up for more information about GLASSIA and AATD treatment.
Sign up for updates