1. AL (Primary) Amyloidosis

This type is the most common and typically affects the heart, kidneys, nerves, and gastrointestinal system. Symptoms include:

• Heart (Cardiac Amyloidosis):

  • Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)

  • Heart failure (shortness of breath, fluid retention, swollen legs)

  • Low blood pressure or fainting

• Kidneys:

  • Protein in the urine (proteinuria)

  • Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles

  • Kidney failure, leading to increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels

• Nervous System:

  • Peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, pain in hands and feet)

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Autonomic neuropathy (dizziness, lightheadedness, bowel or bladder issues)

• Gastrointestinal System:

  • Diarrhea or constipation

  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

  • Weight loss

2. AA (Secondary) Amyloidosis

This form occurs due to chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or chronic infections. It mainly affects the kidneys, liver, and spleen. Symptoms include:

• Kidneys:

  • Proteinuria (protein in the urine)

  • Swelling in the lower extremities due to nephrotic syndrome

  • Kidney failure (in severe cases)

• Liver:

  • Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)

  • Abnormal liver function tests (though symptoms are often mild)

• Spleen:

  • Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)

• Gastrointestinal System:

  • Diarrhea, sometimes with malabsorption issues

3. Hereditary Amyloidosis (Familial)

This type is linked to genetic mutations and can affect the heart, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Symptoms vary depending on the mutation but can include:

• Heart:

  • Similar to AL amyloidosis with symptoms of heart failure

  • Arrhythmias and heart block (delayed or interrupted electrical signals in the heart)

• Nerves:

  • Peripheral neuropathy (pain, numbness, weakness in the limbs)

  • Autonomic dysfunction (dizziness, digestive issues, sexual dysfunction)

• Kidneys:

  • Proteinuria and kidney dysfunction

• Eyes:

  • Eye discoloration or vision changes

4. Wild-type (Senile) Amyloidosis

This form mostly affects elderly individuals and tends to impact the heart. Symptoms often resemble those seen in AL amyloidosis:

• Heart:

  • Heart failure (shortness of breath, fluid buildup)

  • Fatigue and weakness

  • Arrhythmias

  • Thickening of the heart walls, which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood

• Tendons and Ligaments:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome (caused by amyloid deposits in the wrist)

  • Joint stiffness or pain

Common Symptoms Across All Types

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Swelling (due to fluid retention)

• Enlarged tongue (macroglossia), especially in AL amyloidosis

The specific symptoms will depend largely on which organs are involved, but fatigue, organ failure, and fluid retention are often universal signs as amyloid builds up and disrupts normal function.