Lung function test x 2, antibiotics?

[Amy2091]

Hi all, if any of you follow my posts you'll remember I was due my first lung function test today. I sat there all ready to get started and then... cancelled.

None of them thought wise to pre inform me that the test cannot be until 6+ weeks following use of antibiotics. (Was using them before Christmas for a chest infection), so I'm currently only 5 weeks post use.

It has now re arranged for 2 weeks time. My query is.. does anyone else have experience with this, or the following?

I am keeping my fingers crossed that I do not get another chest infection, which I'm feeling good about atm. However; I have had severe toothache all day today, I aim to see my dentist over the next few days if it doesn't ease but I'm concerned that if there is an infection present (hoping it's just a lose filling and not an infection at all - I'm just curious) and I receive antibiotics for this, does this affect future lung tests? Or is it only if it's connected to my chest i.e. a chest infection?

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Typically if you’re doing a full LFT (esp if it’s one where you’ve had to pause medication for it) they don’t like you doing it if you’ve had ABx or a chest infection within 6 weeks because it can make your airways more twitchy and thus make it more difficult for you to reproduce the test reliably (cause you have to do each section 3 times and hopefully get the same result each time). If you are given ABx for your tooth it’s worth giving either your team or the number you’re given to contact about LFTs a call and explaining the situation to ask them. They may say it’s fine but they may also say that an infection requiring ABx means you’re run down and so the ability to repeat tests may be hampered etc etc

I personally have done a LFT despite finishing an ABx course 1-2 weeks prior and still being very twitchy from a chest infection 3/4 weeks prior. My physiologist only did it cause I explained it wasn’t my first and was just because I’d never done one at that hosp (moved house a year ago) so my con wanted one. They just noted the fact and one they saw a dramatic drop after each 1st one the recorded the no reliability due to infection (instead of DB etc) and I have done them prior at other hospitals to show no issue.

Hope that makes sense 😅