What test for Copd

[Sandrute2]

I need to now what test is enough to diagnoze Copd coused by smoking. I still had spirometry without bronchodilator and x ray. I am scared if I must do bronchoskopy for doctors to see my lungs. Even if I dont want. But how will I prove that I have it. I think the most important thing is to see how people feel how they walk and what they family members say.

[Hidden]

The most important thing will always be diagnostic tests that prove you have a disease: if you can’t prove a disease, to some extent you can’t (won’t) be treated. How a patient feels is important, but there are conditions other than COPD that can cause breathing difficulty, or perceived breathing difficulty. The definitive test for most things respiratory, including COPD, is a CT scan, but you’re unlikely to be offered one here in the UK if your spirometry is well within normal. I’m assuming your spirometry is normal, which is probably why they didn’t do bronchodilator reversibility when they tested you. Even if your spirometry wasn’t normal, getting a ct in the U.K. is also not standard with COPD unless your condition is serious, deteriorating, or they’re not entirely sure what’s causing the problem. You wouldn’t be advised to have a bronchoscopy without first having a ct, because bronchoscopy is a more invasive procedure, so they only use it when necessary and if there’s going to be benefit. It’s diagnostic purposes are also fairly limited.

[Sandrute2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much for reply Charlie G.I had spirometry test without bronchodilator because I told I cant use bronchodilators. The doctor showed me that I did not reach the line. When I asked for ct she did not make it. She just telling me that I just have anxiety and tell me to go to psyciatrist. My mother explained her that I cant go to buy food something is happening with me. And she telling thay it is anxiety only. I am so tired I waiting to go to other doctors. I am scared too.

[Hidden in reply to Sandrute2]

I don’t know what you mean by not reaching the line. I’m assuming you mean that your results didn’t show any obstruction. If there’s no obstruction, then there’s no point in trying bronchodilators as they won’t change anything. Without obstruction (or a restrictive result), then you’re not going to get a ct scan. Do you have the figures for your spirometry, or were you just told it’s ok?

If spirometry is completely normal, then the odds of having a chronic physical problem are very small. Even with very mild COPD, so someone with an fev1 above 80% and therefore within normal, you would still have obstruction on spirometry. You can’t have COPD without obstruction.

[Hidden]

If the spirometry indicates a problem - the symptoms you describe will indicate to your doctor if its asthma or not,

If those symptoms do not indicate asthma and you are presenting symptoms that may suggest something else going on you may initially be sent for xray.

Then if symptoms presented don't match any issue on the xray and you have breathing probs which could relate to lung or heart problems your doctor will refer you to the hospital for further investigation. Referral to specialist at the hospital.

The specialist doctor at the hospital can action further tests to check and eliminate what may be the problem and evidence in results indicating what its not and what it is.

If its heart related or lung related, scan for heart and xrays, walk tests, full lung function test, CT scan so many and from all of those the specialist doctor will advise you what the health issue may be, the conclusion of all the tests results and the diagnosis from the specialist healthcare professional ---

---- This is how you can then know for sure if you have COPD or not.

No one here can tell you only healthcare professionals who are qualified in their field to read the results of your test and diagnose in accordance with those results.

I hope you will seek the help of the professionals and not rely on a community without a proper diagnosis. Start with you GP and discuss all the health issues you are experiencing in the first instant.

Best wishes to you.

BK

[Alberta56]

Do see your doctor, who will arrange for tests to find out the cause of your problems. Surely it will be better to know and get appropriate treatment than to remain so worried and scared.

[Sandrute2 in reply to Alberta56]

Yes I visited doctor and made spirometry without bronchodilator. I dont understand what it mean.