FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Genetic COPD, also known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), is a genetic condition. It is passed from parents to their biological children.^1-2 AATD may lead to various health conditions. Most commonly, AATD leads to lung disease. AATD is caused by certain genetic variants in the SERPINA1 gene. These variants cause low levels of a specific protein known as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT). AAT protein is released by the liver, enters the blood, and is transported to the lungs. AAT plays a critical role in safeguarding the lungs. Low levels of AAT may cause lung disease linked to AATD.

Yes. While there is no cure for AATD, it is important to know that treatment options may be available.^*1,3-5 The first step is to find out your risk for AATD using the free and easy AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service.

It’s important to know if your genetics play a role in your COPD. It’s never been easier to learn your risk with a free,^† at-home screening kit. Treatment options may exist.^*

COPD can be caused by smoking, secondhand smoke, or exposure to harmful environmental factors.⁶ However, for some, it is also due to a hereditary condition known as AATD, which may lead to serious lung disease. According to the COPD Foundation, the World Health Organization, the American Thoracic Society, and the GOLD COPD guidelines, if you have been diagnosed with COPD, you should get screened for AATD.^{1, 3–5} 

For many people, COPD is caused by smoking, secondhand smoke, or exposure to harmful environmental factors,⁶ but for some, it also may be due to a genetic condition. Because the symptoms of AATD are the same as traditional COPD symptoms, AATD can go undetected for years. In fact, more than 90% of the estimated 100,000 people in the United States who have AATD don't know they have it.^7-8

The good news is that it’s never been easier to be screened for AATD. The good news is that it’s never been easier to be screened for AATD. The new, FDA-cleared AlphaID™ At Home Saliva Collection Kit has the supplies you need to find out your risk for AATD with at least 99% accuracy. Simply provide a saliva sample—you can do it right from home. Learn More

There are a few ways. The FDA-cleared AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service makes it easy to find out your risk for AATD from the comfort and convenience of your own home. The kit has all the supplies you need to collect a small saliva sample and mail it to the lab. The kit and the lab processing are free—no payment or insurance information will be required at any time. AlphaID™ At Home is a comprehensive, FDA-cleared service—it detects 14 variants in the SERPINA 1 gene linked to AATD with at least 99% accuracy.

Other options for AATD screening and testing include making an appointment with your healthcare professional who may use another screener or request a blood test through a commercial lab (eg, LabCorp, Quest). You could also buy another at-home service.

Whichever method you choose, it is important to know your risk for AATD. If you decide not to use the AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service, be sure to check with your insurance company to understand the costs associated with going to a commercial lab.

The AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service is a free,^† and easy way to learn your risk for a genetic COPD, a condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, or AATD (also referred to as alpha-1.) It is the only FDA-cleared genetic health risk service that detects 14 variants in the SERPINA1 gene linked to AATD with at least 99% accuracy. Simply collect a small saliva sample by swabbing the inside of your cheek from the comfort of your home to determine your risk.

Yes. The AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service is at least 99% accurate and is FDA-cleared.

To receive FDA clearance, the FDA requires a rigorous process to make sure the product is safe, accurate, and clear for the consumer to understand.

After reviewing all the information about the AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service and AlphaID^TM At Home Saliva Collection Kit, the FDA cleared the Service and kit for US consumers to learn their risk for AATD on their own.

The FDA provided clearance through Premarket Notification 510(k). If you would like to read more information about this process, click here: Direct-to-Consumer Tests | FDA and Premarket Notification 510(k) | FDA  

Yes. The AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service, including the kit, is provided for free and may not be billed to patients or their insurers. The AlphaID At Home Saliva Collection Kit contains all the supplies you need to collect and mail your saliva sample. The kit, postage, and lab processing are all free—no payment or insurance information will be required at any time. Order your free kit today.

Your free AlphaID At Home Saliva Collection Kit contains everything you need to learn your risk level for developing lung disease linked to AATD. Inside your kit, you will find: 

• Instructions for Use
• Bio-specimen bag
• Saliva collection device with your unique barcode
• Record card with your unique barcode
• Postage-paid mailer box to mail your sample to the 3^rd party lab

To learn more about the AlphaID At Home Saliva Collection Kit and AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service, visit AlphaIDAtHome.com.

Grifols takes your privacy very seriously and complies with all applicable HIPAA guidelines and privacy laws to safeguard the personal information you share on this website or via the AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service. Grifols has set up a secure, password-protected website where you can access your AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service Report. Grifols will not have access to your AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service Report or any specific information contained in your report. Read our full privacy policy.  

Although the Service was designed to be easy, we realize you may have questions about the process. If you don’t find what you’re looking for on AlphaIDAtHome.com, please reach out to our Customer Support Team at 1-844-891-3030. A live Customer Support Team member will be available Monday–Friday, 8 AM - 8 PM ET, ET and Saturday, 9 AM - 3 PM ET, ET. If you call outside of those hours, you can leave a voicemail and a team member will return your call within 1 business day.

As a reminder, only a healthcare professional can provide information about your results and what it means to you. 

Grifols is a leading global healthcare company founded in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 110 years of history improving the health and wellbeing of people around the world. Grifols provides innovative healthcare solutions and services and has been a trusted market leader in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency testing for more than 20 years. The company has a presence in more than 30 countries and regions, including corporate offices located in California and North Carolina. If you're interested in learning more, please visit www.grifols.com.

For many people, COPD can be caused by smoking, secondhand smoke, or environmental factors,⁶ like working with chemicals and other harmful substances that are breathed in on a regular basis. But for some people, COPD is actually caused by genetic COPD, also known as alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (AL-fa / one / an-tee-TRIP-sin / de-FISH-an-see), or AATD.

The AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service is a free^† and easy way to learn your risk for AATD. It is an FDA-cleared genetic health risk service that detects 14 variants in the SERPINA1 gene linked to AATD with at least 99% accuracy. Of course, you should also always consult with your physician if you have any questions about COPD.

Yes. According to the COPD Foundation, the World Health Organization, the American Thoracic Society, and the GOLD COPD guidelines, if you have been diagnosed with COPD, you should get screened for AATD.^1,3–5

With the AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service, it’s free^† and easy to take the first step in finding out your risk for AATD.

The COPD Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established to speed innovations that will make treatments more effective and affordable, undertake initiatives that result in expanded services for COPD patients, and improve the lives of patients with COPD. https://www.copdfoundation.org ^‡