About this disease
It took a long time for someone to put all of my symptoms together, despite my family history of hATTR amyloidosis.
Quote taken from an actual patient living with the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR) and taking TEGSEDI®
This case represents one patient’s experience. Individual results may vary.
Image is not an actual patient
What is the polyneuropathy of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis?
What happens in patients with hATTR amyloidosis?
There are 2 types of ATTR amyloidosis
- Wild-type ATTR amyloidosis is caused by changes to a specific protein that may occur in some people as they age; it is not caused by a genetic mutation
- Hereditary ATTR amyloidosis is caused by a genetic mutation and can be passed down through family members
The polyneuropathy of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis is caused by a change in the gene that makes a specific protein in your body
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Your genes
You have a change or mutation in the gene that makes a protein called transthyretin (trans-THIGH-ree-tin), or TTR
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Your liver
TTR is made in the liver. Your gene causes TTR proteins to form in an unusual shape
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Protein clusters
The unusual shape causes TTR proteins to clump together in clusters. These clusters are called amyloid fibrils
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Amyloid buildup
Amyloid fibrils build up in the body and damage tissues and organs
A parent who has hereditary ATTR amyloidosis has a 50% chance of passing the gene mutation on to their child
What is polyneuropathy?
Hereditary ATTR amyloidosis may cause polyneuropathy, the damage of multiple nerves
Polyneuropathy symptoms can include
- Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands and feet
- Difficulty walking
- Dizziness from low blood pressure
- Sexual dysfunction
- Vomiting and feeling sick
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Unintended weight loss
The disease may also affect other parts of the body
Eyes
- Eye floaters
- Glaucoma
Heart
- Heart disease or heart failure
- Irregular heartbeat
Kidney
- Kidney failure
Wrists
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Not all patients with hATTR amyloidosis will experience all of these symptoms.
TEGSEDI is not approved for and has not been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of cardiomyopathy in patients with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis.
I started having symptoms about 4 or 5 years ago; I noticed the neuropathy in my fingers and toes. It was manageable but did progress and become painful.
This case represents one person’s experience, individual results may vary
Quote taken from actual patient taking TEGSEDI
Image is not of an actual patient
I have come to believe that my cardiac issues may have masked other issues that were probably brewing behind the scenes… because I began to develop polyneuropathy and GI issues.
This case represents one person’s experience, individual results may vary
Quote taken from actual patient living with polyneuropathy of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis taking TEGSEDI
Image is not of actual patients
Before I became symptomatic, I was very active. I used to love riding my bicycle, dancing, racing motorcycles—so it was devastating when I couldn’t do these things anymore due to my condition.
This case represents one person’s experience, individual results may vary
Quote taken from actual patient living with polyneuropathy of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis taking TEGSEDI
Image is not of actual patients
The importance of understanding disease progression
Don’t wait until it gets worse
If left untreated, symptoms of hATTR can get worse over time
Peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy can occur as tingling, numbness, or pain.
Increasing nerve damage can make daily tasks – such as fastening buttons, turning a key, or walking – more difficult over time. With the polyneuropathy of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, some everyday activities may become more challenging. As your disease progresses, these same simple daily tasks may become more difficult.
These symptoms can advance quickly, but there are treatment choices available. It is critical to receive appropriate treatment as soon as possible to help preserve nerve function.
It is important for you and your doctor to consider treatment as soon as possible after confirming your diagnosis
Genetics
hATTR amyloidosis is passed down through family members
A parent who carries the gene mutation for hATTR amyloidosis has a 50% chance of passing it on to his or her child
It is important for people with the polyneuropathy of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis to talk openly with their families about it.