How is Hereditary Angioedema diagnosed?

 

Getting a diagnosis starts by talking with your doctor. Because hereditary angioedema (HAE) is rare, few people have heard of it, including many doctors. In fact, many doctors will never see a patient with HAE. That's why getting an accurate diagnosis can be challenging.

 

Good to know

You could still have HAE even if no one else in your family has it. One in four HAE cases results from a spontaneous genetic mutation.

Discussion guide

If you think you might have HAE, download this discussion guide to record your symptoms and start a conversation with your doctor.

Tests to confirm an HAE diagnosis

If your doctor thinks you might have HAE, a blood test is often used to confirm the diagnosis. This measures how much C1-INH protein you have. They will also look at other information, like your symptoms, how they respond to certain medications, and your family history.