Nitric Oxide test

[Lynneypin]

I just got a cancellation for a different hospital to the one I normally attend (waiting since May) so I grabbed it. My nitric oxide test was 104 (shouldn’t be over 40). This hasn’t happened to me before, and wondered if anyone has had similar results? I’m waiting on blood results too. Anything I can be doing to reduce it?

[Maverick2]

Nitric oxide is a marker of asthma and infection. NO is produced because it is needed. Just reducing it won't solve the problem. Solving the problem will reduce nitric oxide. if it is an infection, resolving the infection will automatically reduce NO. If you still want to reduce NO, Caffeine rich beverages and foods will be of good choice.

[Troilus]

Hi Lynnepin.I see from your profile that you have asthma. The FeNo test is used in asthma as a marker for airway inflammation. It could be that you have been exposed to something you have an allergy to or maybe you have picked up a respiratory bug.

The important thing is if you are symptomatic. If you are, they might change your preventer to a higher dose or give you some prednisone. If not, then I suspect they will just monitor you.

The FeNo test is a bit like an MOT. It is only good for the day the test is taken. If it is an allergen that has caused it to rise and you have no further contact with it, then your levels will return to what they were.

Did they say what the blood tests were for? I am wondering if they are testing for allergies, to identify likely culprits so you can avoid them in the future.

[Lynneypin in reply to Troilus]

Thanks. I have had asthma a long time. Currently on a short course of prednisolone. Very productive cough. Current combined inhalers not working well. Told to increase preventers (using SMART - also new to me. ) This test is one I’ve never had though so didn’t know anything about it. One of the blood tests is IgE, and they want more regular sputum samples as it’s so variable. Was told I have Eosinophilic asthma but not bad enough for biologics.

[Troilus in reply to Lynneypin]

The prednisone will settle the inflammation and the IgE might identify some or even most of your allergies. The sputum tests will pick up any infection, so it’s all looking good.I’m on the SMART regime, or at least sort of. It works well for me. The system I have is to monitor my peak flow and if it drops or I become symptomatic I take extra dose/doses in the afternoon.

This is the first year I have managed to avoid prednisone!

I hope it works well for you too.

Just edited to say I’m on Fostair 200/6.

[Mooka]

I have had similar results and I have Bronchiectasis and don’t have asthma. My respiratory consultant wanted to up my steroids which I wasn’t happy to do as i was close to completing a long taper. In the end I had budesnide in my nebuliser and my numbers came down to around 50.