Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: Overview

Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a major protein in the blood that it is produced mainly in liver cells. When you don't have enough alpha-1 antitrypsin, you might have Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, sometimes called Alpha-1. Alpha-1 can affect two major organs in the body - the lungs and the liver. The reason is because the defective protein that characterizes Alpha-1 is important to both of these vital organs.

• When Alpha-1 affects the lungs, it can cause COPD and is called inherited emphysema.

• When Alpha-1 affects the liver, it is called inherited liver disease.

This information has been approved by Ron Balkissoon, MD  (April 2006).