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Short answer What to expect with alkaptonuria Common questions Related questions Sources**Yes, alkaptonuria can cause serious complications over time, but with appropriate medical care, your life expectancy is generally normal.**
This inherited condition causes homogentisic acid to build up in your body and gradually damage cartilage and other tissues. Its impact depends on how much your joints, heart valves, and kidneys are affected. You may have few symptoms early in life, then develop back pain, arthritis, or kidney stones in adulthood. Keep regular medical appointments and ask about physical therapy to help you manage pain and maintain movement.
What to expect with alkaptonuria
Common questions
Is Alkaptonuria serious?
Yes, alkaptonuria can be serious because a substance called homogentisic acid builds up in your tissues over time. It can cause painful arthritis, reduced mobility, kidney stones, and heart valve damage. With appropriate medical care, your life expectancy is generally normal. If you have alkaptonuria, ask your clinician about monitoring your joints, heart, and kidneys and managing pain. Physical therapy can help with joint symptoms. If your urine turns dark brown or black after standing, see a clinician for testing; the color alone does not establish a diagnosis.