Types of ATTR amyloidosis

Understanding amyloidosis: Know your condition, understand your type, recognise your symptoms

Types of ATTR amyloidosis

Even if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR amyloidosis), you will still need to find out what specific type you have, to make sure you receive the most appropriate information and care.

“It took a while to get the right diagnosis, and honestly, even after I got it, I didn’t really understand what it meant.” – Person living with amyloidosis

“People hear amyloidosis and they don’t even realise there are different kinds. Even the doctors use different words.” – Moderator of online support group

If you have been diagnosed with ATTR amyloidosis, the next step is to find out which specific type you have. There are two types, depending on how they develop: wild-type ATTR (wtATTR) amyloidosis and variant-type ATTR (vATTR) amyloidosis.

To determine which type of ATTR amyloidosis you have, doctors will generally do a genetic testusing blood or saliva samples.

Er zijn twee typen ATTR-amyloïdose – varianttype en wildtype.

There are two types of ATTR amyloidosis – variant-type and wild-type.

“The biggest source of confusion is just understanding the types of amyloidosis. A lot of people don’t realise there’s even different forms of amyloidosis within ATTR—like hereditary and wild-type. And then you throw in acronyms like ATTR-CM and people just freeze.”

Moderator of online support group

What is the difference between wild-type and variant-type ATTR amyloidosis?

Wild-type ATTR amyloidosis

This type of ATTR amyloidosis develops over the course of a person’s life. Natural processes such as getting older can cause the TTR protein to become unstable and break apart into pieces, which clump together and form deposits that build up in the body. wtATTR amyloidosis is more common than vATTR amyloidosis.

Variant-type ATTR amyloidosis

This type is passed down the family tree through genes (your DNA). An affected gene can cause the TTR protein to become unstable and break apart into pieces, which form amyloid deposits that build up in certain organs in the body.

This is known as vATTR and symptoms often begin between your 50s and 60s. Because it is inherited, other family members may also carry the gene, but genetic testing and counselling can help families understand their risks.

It is important for doctors to know whether you have wtATTR or vATTR amyloidosis. If you are diagnosed with vATTR amyloidosis, your family members may need to be tested. You can find out more about this here.

To explore topics in other sections, click on the links below:

Managing ATTR-CM care

Recognizing early signs and symptoms of ATTR-CM can help support timely diagnosis.

Living with ATTR-CM

Recognize symptoms, adjust your daily routines, and support your well-being.

Supporting someone with ATTR-CM

Define your role, build a network, look after yourself

Further support

Explore common questions, understand key terms, pronounce complex words

References

1
Sidiqi MH, et al. Blood Cancer J. 2019;9(3):30.
2
Amyloidosis UK. Types of Amyloidosis. Available at: https://amyloidosisuk.org/about-amyloidosis/types-of-amyloidosis/ (Last accessed: March 2026).
3
Jain A, Zahra F. Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; April 27, 2023.
4
Patel RK, et al. Eur J Heart Fail. 2022;24(12):2355-2363.
5
Ruberg FL, et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(22):2872-2891.