hormonal and metabolic disorders
Amyloidosis
Diagnosis of Amyloidosis
Biopsy Amyloidosis is sometimes difficult for doctors to recognize because it causes so many different problems, and many of these problems are also caused by other diseases. Doctors suspect amyloidosis when people have symptoms involving multiple organs of the body, or if they have unexplained heart, kidney, or liver failure. Macroglossia is not a common symptom, but when it occurs it is suggestive of amyloidosis. When several family members have heart or nerve problems, it may suggest AF amyloidosis. Unexplained heart symptoms in older men is suggestive of ATTRwt amyloidosis. The diagnosis is generally made by testing a small amount of abdominal fat obtained through a needle inserted in the belly (fat pad biopsy). Alternatively, doctors can do a biopsy by taking a sample of tissue from a part of the body that has been affected by the amyloidosis, such as the heart, kidneys, or liver, and examining it under a microscope with the use of special stains. After doctors determine the person has amyloidosis, they do other tests to determine the type of amyloidosis and to identify any disorders that may be the cause of the amyloidosis. They also do tests to see what organs have been affected. 