Lung age?: My spirometry results... - Lung Conditions C...

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Lung age?

bronchobob profile image
24 Replies

My spirometry results, although a bit low, fit in the normal range, however my lung age is 15 years older. What causes this?

I was a smoker, 30 plus years, I quit three years ago. I also had pulmonary emboli in both lungs in 2012 and was lucky to live apparently. No doubt there is damage in my lungs from the smoking and from the emboli, but what raises the lung age? My respiratory nurse said she is convinced I do not have COPD but that any reduction in performance is down to the smoking and a nasal drip condition which is being treated. She says when my lungs settle down (quit smoking long enough) they will deteriorate at the normal rate. Well, that's something to look forward to!

Thanks in advance, in some ways I am very lucky, for the moment at least. :)

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bronchobob
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24 Replies
sassy59 profile image
sassy59

When Pete last had a spirometry his lung age was 114! He actually laughed. It’s because he smoked but gave up in 1991. He has lung scarring so that doesn’t help. He’s still here though. Xxx

bronchobob profile image
bronchobob in reply tosassy59

Well, I'm glad to hear it. We're all still here then. :)

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply tobronchobob

👍🤗xxx

ck101 profile image
ck101

Lung age is meaningless, it was invented by the medical community as a means to get people to quit smoking. It is based on the FEV1 ( referenced for your age and height) only and takes nothing else into consideration.

2greys profile image
2greys in reply tock101

I agree, my lung age at 71 years is 160 years. It really is a nonsense, nobody lives until 160 years old let alone measure the state of their lungs.

YogaTwo profile image
YogaTwo in reply to2greys

Thank you for this post! I have pulmonary sarcoidosis and after my last PFT I noticed my report said my lungs were 71 years old. I'm 43 so I have been very concerned. But here you are with your 160 year old lungs still posting on the internet. haha❤️

2greys profile image
2greys in reply toYogaTwo

I can still do a lot more more than just post on the Internet. I live up 3 flights of stairs, I do not drive so do a lot of walking. This week had a washer/dryer delivered and left at my front door, I moved it to the kitchen and installed it all on my own. I'm afraid the knackers yard will have to wait a long time yet for my appearance there.

bronchobob profile image
bronchobob in reply to2greys

No 2greys pie for a while then. 😉

2greys profile image
2greys in reply tobronchobob

Apparently African Greys are not good eating and an extremely tough meat, not that I have tried.

ninelives profile image
ninelives in reply to2greys

You could be the first and make medical history.....!

2greys profile image
2greys in reply toninelives

Ye gods, spend another 90 years of being breathless!

bronchobob profile image
bronchobob in reply tock101

A bit like BMI then. I am wide framed, so I am obese even though there is not much fat on me at all. 🍺🍻🌭🍕🌮🌯😋

Troilus profile image
Troilus

I’d never heard of lung age until I read this. I think I’ll look mine up😄

bronchobob profile image
bronchobob in reply toTroilus

You could be 495! 😄

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

Hi Bob, I am guessing the smoking caused your lungs to age prematurely. Fifteen years is not too bad. I would just stay away from the ciggies and keep as fit as possible. At my first test my lung age was 95. I think I was forty at the time. 😅 So don't feel too sad about it. Take care. 😃👋

bronchobob profile image
bronchobob

I guess it is lung scarring. But hey, I can still cycle (not steep hills) and I'll take that. 👍 You don't look 95 at all Caspiana. Live well and prosper. 🖖😁

Superzob profile image
Superzob

I seem to be catching up with my lung age (90) as it hasn’t changed in 6 years. Perhaps the idea is to encourage you to keep going until both your lung age and your real one coincide. Look forward to meeting 2greys when he’s 160!

2greys profile image
2greys in reply toSuperzob

They will have to lay the spirometry booth down horizontally and stretcher me into it by then :)

Noragriffin profile image
Noragriffin

I was pleased to read all comments I am 74 and my lung age is 90. I was starting to believe that I am 90. Now I feel young again. Thanks all for information.

Timberman profile image
Timberman

My lung age is given as 95 years; I am 78 this month.

snow54flake profile image
snow54flake

Hi I will be 67 in Dec and my lung age is 90 years.

bronchobob profile image
bronchobob in reply tosnow54flake

You are beating me! I am going to have to catch up. 🙃

snow54flake profile image
snow54flake

😃😃😃

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

My last lung age was 63 - when I was 65. Well chuffed.

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