Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

A complete history and physical examination is essential for determining if a person may have amyloidosis. Blood, urine and bone marrow tests also must be performed. Blood or urine tests can detect the amyloid proteins, but only bone marrow tests or other small samples of tissue can positively establish the diagnosis of amyloidosis.

A small tissue sample (biopsy) will often be taken from the rectum, abdominal fat or bone marrow to confirm the diagnosis of amyloidosis. These biopsies are relatively minor procedures done in an outpatient clinic with a local anesthetic (numbing medication). Occasionally, samples need to be taken from damaged organs such as the liver, GI track, heart or kidney. The type of biopsy procedure required will vary from patient to patient.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007