I found out through 23andme gene testing that I have the gene variant present for AAT. I am MZ. I found a study through the Alpha-1 Foundation where I could do a test for free to find out if I actually have the deficiency. It was just a finger poke test but I'm so dehydrated that I had to poke 6 fingers to get enough blood to fill the 3 circles. I'll be mailing the test in tomorrow morning. My mom died from COPD and I had a brother who died from a PE so lung problems run in my family. I struggle with air hunger that my PA hasn't been able to diagnose the cause of yet. I figured that doing the AAT def test would be a good idea, if for no other reason than to rule it out. I'm very nervous though about the results. I'm 53 and don't have any children so I'm not worried about passing it on. I've been very sick the past year plus. I went to the ER 2 times in December because I was having such a hard time breathing. They checked me out, found nothing significant and sent me home with an inhaler.

Anyway, this is all new to me and I'm not sure where I stand with AAT def but needed a place to communicate with others. Thanks for reading my post.