Key Information
What is transthyretin amyloidosis?
Transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis is a disease caused by the abnormal accumulation of protein molecule in body tissues. These protein accumulations or "amyloid deposits" are made from a blood protein. TTR, which normally transport thyroid hormone and vitamin A to the body tissues. When an inherited defect in the TTR protein occurs, this abnormal form of TTR has the tendency to accumulate in tissues such as the heart, kidneys, nerves and intestine. The presence of these deposits interferes with the normal functions of the organs, and as the deposits enlarge more tissue damage occurs and the disease (TTR amyloidosis) worsens.
What is transthyretin?
TTR is a normal blood protein. Its function is to carry thyroid hormone and vitamin A to tissues where they are needed for normal metabolism. Like all proteins TTR is made from 20 different amino acid which are linked end to end to make large molecule.