It's completely understandable to feel confused — and honestly a little alarmed — when the numbers don't seem to line up. But here's the key: the PYP scan grade and the disease stage are actually measuring two different things.
The PYP scan grade measures how much amyloid has built up *in your heart tissue*. A grade 2 Show Full Answer
It's completely understandable to feel confused — and honestly a little alarmed — when the numbers don't seem to line up. But here's the key: the PYP scan grade and the disease stage are actually measuring two different things.
The PYP scan grade measures how much amyloid has built up *in your heart tissue*. A grade 2 means there's a significant deposit, yes, but it's specifically about the amount of protein accumulation seen in the scan.
Disease staging, on the other hand, is based on specific blood biomarkers:
- NT-proBNP (a marker of heart stress)
- eGFR (a measure of kidney function) For wild-type ATTR-CM, Stage 1 means both of those biomarkers are currently within normal range — which is actually a positive sign. It suggests your heart and kidneys are still functioning well despite the amyloid deposits seen on the scan.
Think of it this way: the PYP grade shows *what's there*, while the stage reflects *how your body is currently handling it*.
Discussing both numbers together with your care team will give the clearest picture of where things stand and what to monitor going forward.
June 18
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