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Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Test (A1AT) measures the level of alpha-1 antitrypsin present in the blood. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a protein that is produced in the liver and released into the bloodstream. This protein primarily works to protect the lungs from elastase. Elastase is an enzyme which can break down and damage the lung tissues if its levels increase too much.

A1At test is helpful in identifying a rare form of emphysema in adults and a rare form of liver disease (cirrhosis) in children and adults caused by deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin. Deficiency of this protein means that the liver is not functioning properly to produce this protein therefore the lungs and liver are at risk of being damaged by elastase.