Welcome to the Alpha-1 Association of Australia (AAA).
You may be here because you or a family member has just been diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD). Perhaps your physician didn’t tell you much about it, or didn’t know much about it. At this point you have more questions than you have answers. The AAA is here to help you understand the diagnosis and provide you with the education and support to empower you in coping with AATD.
A serious genetic (inherited) diagnosis can leave you feeling afraid and unsure of what to do next. This can be a very difficult time for you and your family. It is often overwhelming to think about the care, the treatment options, possible lifestyle changes and the effects this will have not only on your life, but on your immediate family. A diagnosis of AATD could impact your family including brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren and possibly your extended family members.
You may be experiencing uncertainty, anger, fear, guilt, grief, and frustration. These are all normal feelings. Your next step is to learn how to cope with these feelings. You accomplish this through a step-by-step process of:
- Education:
Knowledge is the key to understanding the diagnosis of AATD. The AAA provides information about treatment, diagnosis, family inheritance / risk factors, testing options, health management and other resources.
- Medical Care:
The AAA can help you find a specialist in the treatment of AATD.
- Support:
We can support your endeavour in dealing with your recent diagnosis of AATD through our website, and by helping you to connect to others affected by joining our online discussion forums.
- Testing:
For information on AATD testing, please see How is AATD Diagnosed.
You’re not alone! The AAA is here to help answer questions, refer you to appropriate physicians, provide you with literature, refer you to other resources, and connect you with other Alphas who have faced this diagnosis and who are taking charge of their health and their life!