Key Information
The symptoms of amyloidosis can vary widely, depending on the specific organ or number of organs affected by the buildup of amyloid protein(s). People with amyloidosis may experience the symptoms or signs listed below. Sometimes, people with amyloidosis do not have any of these changes. Or, the cause of a symptom may be another medical condition. All of these factors can make diagnosing amyloidosis challenging because the symptoms may be similar to those of numerous other diseases and conditions that are more common than amyloidosis.
Symptoms of amyloidosis are usually determined by the organ or function that is affected by the protein build-up.
Amyloidosis in the kidneys will reduce the kidneys' ability to filter waste and break down proteins. As a result, large amounts of protein may be found in the urine, causing "foamy" urine. The kidneys may even stop working. Decreased urine output and changes in creatinine clearance tests, a blood test to measure kidney function, may be present.