Spirometer results

[Gazzer12]

Hi Is 65% to 70% on a spirometer test good or bad?

[hypercat54]

If that is your FEV1 (lung function) then it does mean copd I'm afraid. You are at an early stage though so even though it is a progressive disease, there is much you can do by leading a healthy lifestyle and not smoking. You can hold it stable for many years. What does your doctor/nurse say? x

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to hypercat54]

That depends more if your symptomatic or not I think. When I’m asymptomatic I can get over 110%, but when I’m twitchy with my lungs I can struggle to get 50%. But this is just with asthma. Like PF, FEV1 is done on an average covering a range of ages and conditions/healthy people etc. It helps to suggest an issue rather than outright confirm one. If they’re suspecting COPD then this may work to confirm it (esp if you’re asymptomatic).

Hope that helps explain where I’m coming from anyway 😅

[Gazzer12 in reply to hypercat54]

Than you for your comment I will have to ask more questions if the doctors who seem reserved in telling me anything!

[hypercat54 in reply to Gazzer12]

Yeah but don't ask me coz got my knuckles rapped Listen to Emma though as she is pretty expert at asthma. I probably know a bit more about copd coz I have it. x

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to hypercat54]

😂. I just know everyone is different, and as someone a bit odd (best of 630, predicted is 440), I take objective breathing tests with a pinch of salt unless your comparing against yourself 😅. I only have asthma knowledge and very little on COPD (researched no ‘practical’ experience with it so to say). Always best to ask your doc what the results mean as they have your whole history! X

[hypercat54 in reply to EmmaF91]

My docs won't even discuss my copd or asthma and make me see the respiratory nurse as 'We don't have time and they are much more knowledgeable about it than we are'!

One interesting thing the nurse did tell me was they they only treat the main disease which is copd and not the asthma. I can't understand that and it is a bit worrying. I know many of the symptoms overlap but not all. x

[WheezleSneezle in reply to hypercat54]

Mine is 21% and I don’t have COPD but I have tracheobronchomalacia, extensive airway remodelling and atelectasis. There are a lot of different reasons why spirometry can be crappy. They use a lot more than just FEV1 in differential diagnosis. I would ask your doctor and nurse about what the result means. It isn’t normal is all I can say.

[hypercat54 in reply to WheezleSneezle]

Thank you but I do know quite a bit about copd as have had it for 11 years! I don't pretend to know much about any other lung disease especially a more uncommon one like yours.

[Smoggy1990Boggy]

Hi Gazza make an appointment to discuss the results in a face to face appointment. Request a copy of the spirometry which they should give you. Do you already have a diagnosed lung condition? How were you feeling that day when you went to the appointment?

[christina1947]

Hi gazzer apparently anything under 70% is considered abnormal 70% and over normal so if you are 65% it’s not that bad. Go back ask for a ct scan also to see a consultant so you know exactly what you are dealing with and best way to control the condition. It will be mild and there are a lot of things you can do to keep it that way this forum has helped me so much iam 69% no symptoms so taking care of myself not even going back for a diagnosis I am 71yrs . Main course of treatment keep well away from cigs and smokers. Take care

[Gazzer12 in reply to christina1947]

Thank you for your kind words and advice best wishes

[Matman]

Coincidentally, I just Commented what follows (below) in reply to another person Posting with an upsetting Spirometry Test.

‘’....Assuming a Spirometry Test is what your Doc was commenting on, it’s not uncommon for GPs to sometimes interpret a Spirometry Reading as indicative of COPD, when the issue can be eosinophilic asthma (which often shows a similar Spirometry Indication). Look, I’m not saying your GP is wrong, but I know for sure that poor reversibility on a Spirometry Test can indicate either COPD or Eosinophilic asthma.

In such circumstances, given that my GP scared me by mentioning COPD as a possibility (and I was ultimately diagnosed with Eosinophilic Asthma) plus given also what I’ve since learned, I’d be expecting my Consultant to do some comprehensive testing including a CT Scan (possibly High Resolution CT) FeNO, Blood Tests for eosinophils and a repeat Spirometry.

Don’t want to leave you with false hope as far as the COPD is concerned, but if your Consultant doesn’t offer additional Tests you may want to press for some....’’

Obstruction % can also be mucus plugs, airway remodelling, mix of the two etc. Really need more Testing than a single Spirometry to fully understand what’s going on.