Tyrosinemia

Tyrosinemia (or "Tyrosinaemia") is an error of metabolism, usually inborn, in which the body cannot effectively break down the amino acid tyrosine. Symptoms include liver and kidney disturbances and mental retardation. Untreated, tyrosinemia can be fatal.

Most inborn forms of tyrosinemia produce hypertyrosinemia (high levels of tyrosine).

Types
There are three types of tyrosinemia, each with distinctive symptoms and caused by the deficiency of a different enzyme.
 * Type I tyrosinemia
 * Type II tyrosinemia
 * Type III tyrosinemia

Treatment
Treatment varies depending on the specific type. A low protein diet may be required in the management of tyrosinemia. Recent experience with NTBC has shown to be very effective. The most effective treatment in patients with tyrosinemia type I seems to be full or partial liver transplant.