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Alpha-1 Liver Disease
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Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency begins in the liver. The alpha-1 protein is either in short supply or non-existent in patients with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. That protein that is made is often malformed and the liver is unable to process it and the problems begin. No one knows why an individual can suddenly have liver problems or why their children are affected. There is no therapy that will cure a patient once their liver begins to fail. Liver transplantation becomes the patient's only option. Through modern technology and medical breakthroughs, patients who receive liver transplants generally do very well and no longer are deficient of Alpha-1 after a successful liver transplant, although they retain the genetic characteristics of Alpha-1. Signs and Symptoms of Cirrhosis In addition, patients may be alerted to a problem by a routine physical that reveals elevated liver enzymes. If you know that you are deficient in the Alpha 1 protein, you should make sure your annual checkup includes an examination of your liver enzymes. How Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency manifests itself. The following article by Dr. David Perlmutter meticulously describes Alpha-1 liver and discusses it at length. He thoroughly explains how Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency manifests itself. The article is very technical and is another good one to print out, read and pass on to your general practitioner for their education. http://www.jci.org/cgi/content/full/110/11/1579 American Liver Foundation The American Liver Foundation offers a comprehensive web site that discusses liver disease at length. You can find them at: http://www.liverfoundation.org Their phone number is: Mailing address: 75 Maiden Lane Suite 603 New York, NY 10038 Financial Assistance For information about financial help with medications and transplantation, there are many areas of assistance. Begin by asking your doctor about any programs they are aware of or participate in. Often they have samples of medications that they can supply or know of clinical trials where medications are provided. They may also have the paperwork to ask for assistance from the pharmaceutical company that manufactures your needed medication. In addition, The Medicine Program offers assistance with prescription drugs and can be contacted at http://www.themedicineprogram.com They provide the application on line or you can request one by phone. There are income limitations, but they are generous. They do charge a $5.00 fee for each prescription application, but they provide refunds when they can not help you. Every state has Title V coverage for children with special needs. Go to http://www.ichp.edu and search this site for information for your state.
Telephone: 540-948-6777 or 1-866-FOR-A1AA (1-866-367-2122) Fax # 540-948-6763 Copyright © 2006 Alpha-1 Advocacy Alliance, All Rights Reserved Home | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||