How is AA amyloidosis diagnosed?

How is AA amyloidosis diagnosed?

AA amyloidosis is suspected in patients who have chronic inflammatory or rheumatic disease and begin to show signs and symptoms. The kidney is the most common organ affected in AA amyloidosis.

A biopsy (the removal of cells or tissue) is required to confirm AA amyloidosis. A biopsy of abdominal fat just under the skin, known as a “fat pad biopsy,” is often the first location biopsied. If the fat pad biopsy is negative, the next step is usually to biopsy the affected organ. Sometimes the doctor will choose to start directly with a biopsy of the affected organ.

If the biopsy is positive, the tissue sample undergoes further testing to rule out another type of amyloidosis called AL amyloidosis. AL amyloidosis has some of the same early signs and symptoms as AA amyloidosis but is a more aggressive form of amyloidosis.