Sunday, February, 12, 2012

Primary amyloidosis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Amyloid - primary


Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the organs affected by the deposits. These organs can include the tongue, intestines, skeletal and smooth muscles, nerves, skin, ligaments, heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys.

Symptoms include:

  • Abnormal heart rhythm
  • Enlarged tongue
  • Fatigue
  • Numbness of hands and feet
  • Shortness of breath
  • Skin changes
  • Swallowing problems
  • Swelling in the arms and legs
  • Weak hand grip
  • Weight loss

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

  • Decreased urine output
  • Diarrhea
  • Hoarseness or changing voice
  • Joint pain
  • Weakness

Signs and tests

Your doctor may discover that you have an enlarged liver or spleen.

If organ damage is suspected, your doctor may order tests to confirm amyloidosis of that organ. For example:

  • Abdominal ultrasound may reveal a swollen liver or spleen.
  • An abdominal fat pad aspiration, rectal mucosa biopsy, or bone marrow biopsy can help confirm the diagnosis.
  • A heart evaluation, including an ECG, may reveal arrhythmias, abnormal heart sounds, or signs of congestive heart failure. An echocardiogram shows poor motion of the heart wall, due to a stiff heart muscle.
  • A carpal tunnel syndrome evaluation may show that hand grips are weak. Nerve conduction velocity shows abnormalities.
  • Kidney function tests may show signs of kidney failure or too much protein in the urine (nephrotic syndrome).
    • BUN level is increased.
    • Serum creatinine is increased.
    • Urinalysis shows protein, casts, or fat bodies.

This disease may also affect the results of the following tests:

  • Bence-Jones protein (quantitative)
  • Carpal tunnel biopsy
  • Gum biopsy
  • Immunoelectrophoresis - serum
  • Myocardial biopsy
  • Nerve biopsy
  • Quantitative immunoglobulins
  • Tongue biopsy
  • Urine protein

Review Date: 02/20/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)