I used to get a lot of COPD exacerbations - After stopping smoking they got less. After stopping smoking my FEV1/FVC percent rose to the 90% range, Stranhe it had gone from under 50% to over 90%.
However it peaked and in 2 years has gone back to 66% - I am reading this from my medical record on line.
17 Sep 07FEV1/FVC percent56 %
03 Dec 14FEV1/FVC percent84 %
09 Aug 17FEV1/FVC percent66 %
Just three samples I have copied and pasted.
My question is - FEV1/FVC percent66 % mild or moderate?
Above is a sample of how low mySPO2 can go, rare so low but does happen. i only posted the pic as Dr said it was related to COPD at a time when my FEV1/FVC % was not that low.
Written by
Ern007
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
A good clear and understandable answer Stone. Like myself,initially, there seems to be many people who are so confused about spirometry readings. The general procedure seems to be that an individual is told that they have copd, and are then given a print out of spirometry results with no explanation. This seems to prompt consultations with Dr google to find out, which terrifies, and describes terrible case scenarios. Why the person diagnosing cannot take a little time to explain things is beyond me.It would prevent so much stress and anxiety. I had asked 2 Gp's and a specialist and was pretty much fobbed off. I was confused for months until it was explained to me on here. This site is brilliant and it would be great if everyone when first diagnosed were made aware of it in primary care. Carolx
Hi Carol - I totally agree. However I change doctors and the equipment was different.
With stones answer "Stage 2 = 50-79% – moderate COPD" it was seem my COPD is moderate as my result was FEV1/FVC percent66 %.
However when reading on my Drs Medical records I see.
"Peak expiratory flow rate measured using EN 13826 device252 L/min " - is that a Peak Flow meter result?
"Forced vital capacity - FVC2.5 litre"
"Forced expired volume in 1 second1.67 litre"
Clear as mud. However with all the tests, there is a graph at the side which showed a very marked improvement when I stopped smoking - The trend over the last 5 years is going backwards to the bad old days, even though I have not smoked for 12 years or more.
My CKD, Heart and TF test are all easier to understand than the COPD tests, they are baffling.
My Fev1 was 89% of predicted my FvC was 126% of predicted however it was my first test and the nurse did not tell me to blow as fast and as hard as I could she just said take a deep breath in and then blow out into the mouthpiece. She did keep saying keep going etc. I think if I had exhaled with more force my Fev1 and therefore my Fev1% of would have been better. I understand that is the volume of air not the percentages that are used to work out the Fev1%
"FEV1, or forced expiratory volume, is a measurement taken from a pulmonary function test. It calculates the amount of air that a person can force out of their lungs in 1 second. Working out a person's FEV1 value can help in the diagnosis of a chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)."
Thank you. I just find my results confusing but it seems like a lot do. I think the fact that there is Fev 1 and Fev 1 % which mean two different things does not help.
Maybe this will help. Scroll down the page and you will see "My Fev1 was 89% " is mild... Scroll down to "COPD staging and FEV1" and you will see the stages..... medicalnewstoday.com/articl...
Thank you so much for replying. I hope I am mild although the Fev1/ FVC ratio suggested moderate.
The nurse did the test at my home and she told me to take a deep breathe in and breathe out into the mouthpiece she did not tell me to breathe out hard and fast which zi have since read is the technique for the Fev1 recording.
Remember I have no medical training at all. I have had COPD for years and can relay my experience.. As I have always understood Fev1/ FVC is a guide whether your condition is "Obstructive or not" - FEV1 is how severe,
You say you did not blow as hard as you could in the test - had you done so your results {I would imagine) have been BETTER, not worse.
Really you need an appointment to let the asthma nurse explain the results..... This is from the British Lung foundation....... blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...
Thank you and keep well. Above all don't smoke. COPD is regressive but with care you can live an almost normal life. I am 74 and had COPD for many years, I even worked with it.. If you get stuck with number, please feel free to post or message, I will always try and help as a layman, Good luck
Bless you, you are very kind and an inspiration I hope I can do as well as you going forward. I gave up smoking a few months ago and will never go back to it.
That is the way forward and the money you save. We smoke when young not realising the dangers.. I used to have more COPD flare ups when I smoked, now that is down 50% - stopping smoking is a win win every time,,,
Hi Em, your fev1/fvc, in your case 66% represents that you have an obstructive lung condition because it is below 69%,not the severity of it. The seveverity of your condition is determined by your fev1%. Carolx
I asked my GP to work out the figures for me and he said i had 23% projected capacity remaining. Not good and very severe of course. Hey-Ho a day at a time. No infection today and coping.
Keep well trough the winter. I am not sure how much lung capacity I have left.but i doubt as small as yours. i do have Angina and Brady/tacky syndrome and together they are a pain. but hey ho - one day or month at a time, the best attitude.
My understanding is that most physicians go by the Fev1 results. If you feel your Fev1 is deteriorating quickly would it be a good idea to ask for a respiratory physician appointment and a CT scan to see why this is happening ? Hope you get some answers. As mentioned by Stone the Fev1 score determines what stage of COPD you are.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
what is the diagnosing reading for COPD in pft? fev1<80 or fev1/fvc<70?
I need help understanding FEV1/FVC
DO I HAVE COPD OR NOT ?
