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Hereditary amyloidosis
     
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Hereditary amyloidosis

Amyloidosis - hereditary; Familial amyloidosis

 

Hereditary amyloidosis is a condition in which abnormal protein deposits (called amyloid) form in almost every tissue in the body. Harmful deposits most often form in the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. These protein deposits damage the tissues and interfere with how organs work.

Causes

 

Hereditary amyloidosis is passed down from parents to their children (inherited). Genes may also play a role in primary amyloidosis.

Other types of amyloidosis are not inherited. They include:

  • Senile systemic: seen in people older than 70
  • Primary: occurs without a known cause
  • Secondary: results from diseases such as cancer of certain blood cells (myeloma)

Specific conditions include:

  • Cardiac amyloidosis
  • Cerebral amyloidosis
  • Secondary systemic amyloidosis

 

Treatment

 

Treatment to improve the function of damaged organs will help relieve some symptoms of hereditary amyloidosis. A liver transplant may be helpful to reduce the creation of harmful amyloid proteins. Talk to your health care provider about treatments.

 

 

Open References

References

Gertz MA, Dispenzieri A. Amyloidosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 174.

Lachmann HJ, Sharpley FA. Amyloidosis. In: Firestein GS, McInnes IB, Koretzky GA, Mikuls TR, Neogi T, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 121.

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  • Amyloidosis of the fingers

    Amyloidosis of the fingers

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    • Amyloidosis of the fingers

      Amyloidosis of the fingers

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    A Closer Look

     

      Tests for Hereditary amyloidosis

       
         

        Review Date: 11/6/2025

        Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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