Have you been diagnosed with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) recently?  Have you discussed this information with your family?  If you have been diagnosed with Alpha-1 other members of your family could also have this genetic condition. This is because Alpha-1 is caused by genes we inherit from our parents.

We all have 2 copies of every gene in our body, including the Alpha-1 gene.  One copy we inherit from our mother, the other is from our father.  So if you have Alpha-1, there is a chance your brothers or sisters could have it too.  Testing for Alpha-1 could improve the lives and health of your family members, particularly if some are smokers or work in environments harmful to the lungs.  Please print this information leaflet from our friends in the US Alpha-1 Foundation and give it to your relatives to share with them what you have learned about Alpha-1.  For more information on family screening and how to get tested please contact us on alpha1@rcsi.ie or 01-8093871.