Print OverviewAmyloidosis (am-uh-loi-DO-sis) is a rare disease that occurs when a protein called amyloid builds up in organs. This amyloid buildup can make the organs not work properly. Organs that may be affected include the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system and digestive tract. Some types of amyloidosis occur with other diseases. These types may improve with treatment of the other diseases. Some types of amyloidosis may lead to life-threatening organ failure. Treatments may include chemotherapy with strong drugs used to treat cancer. Other types of medications can reduce amyloid production and control symptoms. Some people may benefit from organ or stem cell transplants.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic Symptoms Purpura around the eyes Enlarge image Close Purpura around the eyes Purpura around the eyes Some people with amyloidosis experience purpura — a condition in which small blood vessels leak blood into the skin. This most commonly occurs around the eyes but can also affect other parts of the body. Enlarged tongue Enlarge image Close Enlarged tongue Enlarged tongue An enlarged tongue (macroglossia) can be a sign of amyloidosis. It can sometimes also appear rippled along its edge. You may not experience symptoms of amyloidosis until later in the course of the disease. Symptoms may vary, depending on which organs are affected. Signs and symptoms of amyloidosis may include: Severe fatigue and weakness Shortness of breath Numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet Swelling of the ankles and legs Diarrhea, possibly with blood, or constipation An enlarged tongue, which sometimes looks rippled around its edge Skin changes, such as thickening or easy bruising, and purplish patches around the eyes When to see a doctorSee your health care provider if you regularly experience any of the signs or symptoms associated with amyloidosis. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesThere are many different types of amyloidosis. Some types are hereditary. Others are caused by outside factors, such as inflammatory diseases or long-term dialysis. Many types affect multiple organs. Others affect only one part of the body. Types of amyloidosis include: AL amyloidosis (immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis). This is the most common type of amyloidosis in developed countries. AL amyloidosis is also called primary amyloidosis. It usually affects the heart, kidneys, liver and nerves. AA amyloidosis. This type is also known as secondary amyloidosis. It's usually triggered by an inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. It most commonly affects the kidneys, liver and spleen. Hereditary amyloidosis (familial amyloidosis). This inherited disorder often affects the nerves, heart and kidneys. It most commonly happens when a protein made by your liver is abnormal. This protein is called transthyretin (TTR). Wild-type amyloidosis. This variety has also been called senile systemic amyloidosis. It occurs when the TTR protein made by the liver is normal but produces amyloid for unknown reasons. Wild-type amyloidosis tends to affect men over age 70 and often targets the heart. It can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Localized amyloidosis. This type of amyloidosis often has a better prognosis than the varieties that affect multiple organ systems. Typical sites for localized amyloidosis include the bladder, skin, throat or lungs. Correct diagnosis is important so that treatments that affect the entire body can be avoided. Risk factorsFactors that increase the risk of amyloidosis include: Age. Most people diagnosed with amyloidosis are between ages 60 and 70. Sex. Amyloidosis occurs more commonly in men. Other diseases. Having a chronic infectious or inflammatory disease increases the risk of AA amyloidosis. Family history. Some types of amyloidosis are hereditary. Kidney dialysis. Dialysis can't always remove large proteins from the blood. If you're on dialysis, abnormal proteins can build up in your blood and eventually be deposited in tissue. This condition is less common with more modern dialysis techniques. Race. People of African descent appear to be at higher risk of carrying a genetic mutation associated with a type of amyloidosis that can harm the heart. ComplicationsAmyloidosis can seriously damage the: Heart. Amyloid reduces the heart's ability to fill with blood between heartbeats. Less blood is pumped with each beat. This can cause shortness of breath. If amyloidosis affects the heart's electrical system, it can cause heart rhythm problems. Amyloid-related heart problems can become life-threatening. Kidneys. Amyloid can harm the kidneys' filtering system. This affects their ability to remove waste products from the body. It can eventually cause kidney failure. Nervous system. Nerve damage can cause pain, numbness, or tingling of the fingers and feet. If amyloid affects the nerves that control bowel function, it can cause periods of alternating constipation and diarrhea. Damage to the nerves that control blood pressure can make people feel faint if they stand up too quickly. By Mayo Clinic Staff Amyloidosis care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment May 13, 2023 Print Living with amyloidosis? Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Blood Cancers & Disorders support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community. Blood Cancers & Disorders Discussions Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP): What helps? 175 Replies Mon, Dec 23, 2024 chevron-right My Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT/SCT) story: Will you share yours? 590 Replies Mon, Dec 23, 2024 chevron-right Does anyone else have MGUS? 880 Replies Mon, Dec 23, 2024 chevron-right See more discussions Show references Goldman L, et al., eds. Amyloidosis. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 12, 2022. Hoffman R, et al. Immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (primary amyloidosis). In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 12, 2022. Amyloidosis. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/amyloidosis/amyloidosis?query=amyloidosis. Accessed July 12, 2022. Ferri FF. Amyloidosis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 12, 2022. Gorevic PD. Overview of amyloidosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 12, 2022. Kaushansky K, et al., eds. Immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis. In: Williams Hematology. 10th ed. McGraw Hill; 2021. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed July 12, 2022. Fontana M, et al. Myocardial amyloidosis: The exemplar interstitial disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Imaging. 2019. doi:10.1016/j.jcmg.2019.06.023. Pruthi RK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Aug. 3, 2022. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. March 17, 2022. Related Enlarged tongue Purpura around the eyes Associated Procedures Bone marrow transplant Liver transplant Urinalysis News from Mayo Clinic Cardiac amyloidosis 101: Why early diagnosis and targeted treatment matter Feb. 21, 2024, 05:00 p.m. CDT Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic AmyloidosisSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry