Lung function?

[Gary56]

I see a lot of people mention their lung function percentage. Do they mean FEV1, DLCO, or something else?. Just curious.

[Jjude]

I think my FEV1 is 43%, but Im still learning. Its just one of the numbers and letters I remember the nurse said to me before she 'yes you have copd'. So now Im in the process of trying to improve that reading for my next check end of September.

xx

[Hidden]

I only ever refer to the FEV1% which I believe is the working lung function percentage. My husband is now at 27% but I rather feel if he feels Ok the numbers are for the doctors! xx

[Toci]

Like TADAW, I believe you must be referring to FEV1% (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) as it is what is used to decide which stage someone with COPD has reached. I use it to see how well I am doing, whether it has gone up or down, how much change there is, etc. It is well explained on the Internet if you use Google.

[mmzetor]

mostly people are talking about fev 1% hat normaly the result they get if tested at gps surgery dlco is normaly from hospital full lung function test some time at gp fev1% isn't to bad so gp don't think people are to bad but on hospital test if dlco is a low percent you can be very short of breath as that's what happened to me gp want to stop steroid pump consultant done full test then doubled steroid pump and said gp only see small part of the whole picture

[sassy59]

I agree with TAD and Toci, just numbers to me and Pete. We don't have a clue what any of it means but Pete is breathing so that is a good thing. Take care all. xxx

[2malinka]

My last one was really low: 14%! That scared me. But after talking to people on BLF site I was told not to get too hung up on numbers. I wasn't feeling that good at the test at Harefield . I hate it when they say 'keep going, keep going.' I just panic and usually stop exhaling as I think my lungs might burst.

Take care all of you

Malinka

[Toci in reply to 2malinka]

The 'keep going' thing really annoys me too. After a while the words run together and what I hear is 'goinki, goinki, goinki'!

[Hidden]

What is good for FEV1? The one from my lung function test in February was 1.7 and consultant said the one I had on Monday this week was a little lower. I have Bronchiectasis, not COPD.

[Gary56]

Thanks for the replies, so using FEV1% and lung function% interchangeably is convention as much as anything. Thank god for that

My FEV1 IS 82%, postdilater, so normal but my DLCO is only 35% Bullous Emph, is such fun

[Hidden]

Hi You can't accurately measure your total lung function so the DLCO is irrelevant in that sense. We mean the FEV1 and maybe the FVC as well. I only know the percentages not the decimals I'm afraid. My FEV1 is 78%. x

[Gary56]

thats what I don't understand. Should'nt Lung Function depend on its ability to exchange gases, that, I would have thought would have been the function of the lungs?