TLCO question

[frose]

Can someone tell me where TLCO54% sits on the scale of things, ie HOW good/bad is it, and I know it isn't 'good'! I've been searching for this information but can't find it in a way I can understand, only as part of in depth research papers.

Thanks

[dall05]

Hi struggle, my TLCO is 33% and that's why I'm on the lung transplant list. The respiratory technician told me that this is the measurement of gas transfer through the alveoli. The transfer of oxygen from the lungs into the blood stream and the carbon dioxide from the blood into the lungs.

My blood oxygen levels are not to bad at rest but under exercise they soon drop below safe levels without oxygen support.

I hope this will help you, hey your 20% better than me so it ain't so bad is it.

Tony

[frose]

Thanks Tony!

Lung transplant list ... Sounds terrifying to be honest and I wish you the best with it all.

I wonder if the TLCO figures can change, as the FEV1 figures can.

Eternally the optimist hoping my lung function can improve!

[dall05 in reply to frose]

I remember my lung consultant saying they send people for transplant assessment when their TLCO is around the 30%. Keep yourself fit and you should be able to remain stable struggle, I work hard at it but I haven't deteriorated for 4 years now so all's well eh'

[Parvati]

Grades of Severity for TLCO are: Mild 60% and above Moderate 40 - 60% Severe 40% and below.

[dall05 in reply to Parvati]

Thanks Parvati, I've often wondered what the cut offs for each level were. I always new I was severe at 33% and that's why I'm on the transplant list but considering that I do pretty well.

Tony

[frose]

Aha! Just what I wanted to know! Thank you Parvati

[Puffthemagicdragon]

How do I find my TLCO ? I Have the list of my blood gases tests if that's any help.

[frose]

Mine are listed as such in the spirometry results form Puff.

Tony - I'll try my best!

[Hidden]

Never heard of TLCO before. What do they stand for please?

[stilltruckin in reply to Hidden]

Transfer factor of the Lung for CO (carbon monoxide)

[Sohara]

Oh dear, the guy that did my spirometry tests said my TLCO was 12% !!!! ( beyond hope ? ) , he just wrote a few figures down on a piece of paper...my KCO was 24.42% and my FEV was 45.3%

I am in the severe COPD range...never knew what the TLCO reading meant before, but my reading sounds AWFUL ( he wrote it down under the heading of 'Gas transfer' )

But I am not on oxygen yet, and now I am on Azithromycin all the time I feel really good ,

So either my man wrote down an incorrect reading for me OR its not that important a reading taking everything else into consideration

[Sohara]

I have just read a really helpful reply made by Droo32 on another post, that you would find very helpful re this subject

[Hidden]

Oh thank you stilltruckin x

[Offcut]

I was told that I process my O2 very well! BUT I do not get enough in to process? Talk about build you up to knock you down

[Jcrulesfootball]

Hi I'm waiting to see specialist to talk through my results and hopefully treatment depending if he can confirm a diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

My TLCO is 55% so bout same,i initially Mis interpretated the tlc part of it for total lung capacity but realise this is wrong now,dont think they put that on copy of letter to specialist I recieved.

Is TLCO as serious as if it was my total lung function.

If sarcoidosis he spoke last year of iv steroids and hoped he cd improve breathing I also have ME and am recouping from sepsis 3 and half months ago now but it's really knocked stuffing out of me am in bed alot of the day also have district nurses in every day at Mo to change dressing and packing on a perianal abcess that I had to have surgery on two weeks ago,so my days don't involve being able to do alot right now.

I know that lung transplant would be worst case scenario and was sure I was long way off that, but if it help I met someone at a friend's 30th last summer who had had a double lung transplant and was absolutely fine!!He was prob around 30 ish,was also a Christian guy and this helped let me know that even if it did get to that it could still be fine.and think personally that this was god letting me know that!!!

I'm 37 by way from surrey in the UK.

[Jcrulesfootball]

Sorry to hear your results sohara how ru getting on now?