Huge total lung capacity

Apparently means you had childhood asthma?

My total lung capacity was way over normal like crazy high. Saw it on the screen - the man showed me after I got out of the cubicle.

You’d think I was a 6’6” male cyclist. NOPE, short female normal BMI.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I have a large lung capacity for my height/gender, had childhood asthma but it was mild (it isn't now). I know people who had childhood asthma and don't have an especially large lung capacity. I hadn't heard this before, will look into the literature out of curiosity.

I had assumed mine was due to years of singing and oboe playing (from age 6/7) as that appears to increase capacity (anecdotally though, there isn't much research on it). Ditto a lot of sports at a young age (former national gymnast/trampolining/martial artist female friend has a large lung capacity).

[Hidden in reply to Lysistrata]

Please do try to find out, thank you so much!

There was the normal line on his screen then each side of that was a big area of normal range. Mine was much much higher than even the extended range.

I have never learned singing or a musical instrument that involves breathing through it. Also no more sports than average. My natural body shape when not too fat looks like a gymnast or swimmer: wide shoulders and sort of athletic BUT it’s not from doing those sports. Also over the pandemic I’ve put on 8kg. I’m now near the overweight category 😡

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Interesting. I’d not heard that before either. I’ve had asthma from age three (I’m now in my sixties) but for the first five years the local GP refused to give an asthma diagnosis stating that I had a tendency to bronchitis (not uncommon back then). My lung capacity has never been measured as far as I’m aware, but given the history plus the fact that I did ballet, drama and voice training and gymnastics for years as a child, even if I was found to have larger than normal lung capacity for my height/gender/age etc, it would difficult to ascertain what had caused it.

I’m due to see a resp cons at the end of this month. I’ll try to remember to ask if he’s heard anything about this.

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Hi Maggie

Thanks for your reply. It’d be really interesting to know what he says.

I was told years ago that my lungs are big and extend lower than usual. It’d be good to know why.

When I finally see the written results I’ll ask my doctors too.

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I'm still waiting for my letter following the lung function, RAST tests and consultant appt.

In any case, although people seem to regard larger TLC as good, a sign of fitness etc, as far as I can tell by reading, when it's too high - as in significantly out of range (well over 120% ) - then it isn't good.

Pity it's my lungs and not my brain that's so overly enlarged 😂

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Respiratory Physiology and PathophysiologyMichael A. Gropper MD, PhD, in Miller's Anesthesia, 2020

Spirometry—Total Lung Capacity and Subdivisions

The gas volume in the lung after a maximum inspiration is called the total lung capacity (TLC; usually 6 to 8 L). TLC can be increased in COPD either by over-expansion of alveoli or by destruction of the alveolar wall, resulting in loss of elastic tissue, as in emphysema (seeFig. 13.4). In extreme cases, TLC can be increased to 10 to 12 L. In restrictive lung disease, TLC is reduced, reflecting the degree of fibrosis, and can be as low as 3 to 4 L (seeFig. 13.4).

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So it can be increased pretty massively in COPD, but my question is if it can be in asthma too. My diagnosis (AFAIK) is not COPD but asthma. I know asthma can change into a sort of COPD though...

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How long do you usually have to wait to get your post-appointment letter? I mean after seeing a resp consultant.

I got a follow up appt for Sept through the post.