Spirometry results... can anyone read results?

[Ami40]

Hi All, thanks for your help so far...

Is there anybody on here who can read after analysing spirometry results and work out what they mean if I share them etc?

I can't get in at the Dr's for some time etc.

I'm just unsure that I've even got asthma and believe my breathlessness may be due to allergies as was suggested by somebody before or due to some other issue...

Please let me know and grateful for any assistance etc 👍🏽🙏🏽

Thanks

[Katinka46]

Please post them here. We are not doctors and can’t diagnose lung diseases but some members here are quite knowledgeable. But you must be careful as a lot of our members have COPD and tend to view the numbers only in that light. K

[Hidden]

As per Kate’s reply, yes, some of us can give you some insight into results, with the caveat that we cannot diagnose as we are not doctors nor in any way medically qualified.

[Ami40 in reply to Hidden]

Hi my results are below any chance of what you think please?

[soulsaver]

Can you get a telephone appointment with your practice's respiratory nurse to go through the results?

Or can you post up a pic of the test results? They can be difficult to even read out correctly for the inexperienced.

[Ami40 in reply to soulsaver]

Hi my results are above any chance of what you think please?

[Ami40]

Hi All thank you very much for your replies, i thought no one did as didn't receive an email notification but I think that there something wrong with email app etc, does anyone know how to change the email address that the notifications go to at all please so then I can tell when somebody has replied again? Thank you

Also yes thank you all for your replies, I understand you're not Dr's but would love your advice till I can get in to see the AN... Thanks again... here's my results

😉

[teenieleek]

Your fev1 is 80%. Many here would sell a relative or body part for that number. Live long and be happy! Rider: I am not a doctor therefore not qualified to interpret your results.......but you did ask.

[Ami40 in reply to teenieleek]

Thank you I really don't understand a lot of all the results but its good to know that!!

[soulsaver]

Fev1 (Forced Expiry Volume at 1 second) is the volume of air you can blow out from fully inflated lungs in 1 second.

FVC is the total volume of air in your fully inflated lungs.

So Fev1/FVC ratio in simple terms is the percentage of your full lung volume that you should be able to blow out in 1 second (Predicted) vs what you actually blew(Best).

And from an obstruction (COPD) viewpoint, whilst 80% is ideal for normal, anything between 70 & 80 would be in the 'normal range', so 76% is well in, not clinically obstructed.

On the surface those numbers look great, but the plethysmography measures may influence the spirometry calculations and is beyond my experience, so, equally, may have no bearing

Other than that the only spirometry area less than near perfect is the fef25-75 (forced expiry flow rate, mid to end of blow) which is slow towards the latter end (of your blows).

Are you a(n ex) smoker? Any other inhaled contaminants, at work for example?

Those results don't seem to test for asthma which would have a before and after bronchodilator measure.

Best to discuss with your consultant and/or respiratory nurse, or the nurses on here.

Good luck and best wishes.

[Ami40]

Thank you very much Soulsaver for explaining this, I understand it a little more now... on my results it confirms that I do not have smoking related COPD. However, somebody has mentioned that these figures may be a little inaccurate...Do these figures confirm that there is no obstruction? Therefore can see from these results that there's definitely no COPD etc?

Which moves me on to the 2nd point, if there's no obstruction, is that why I wasn't give the reversibility part of the test, as that (from what I hear) would have been great to assess if I have Asthma or not? I just don't understand this, the test was amended as I specifically asked for it, then the technician said the consultant added it, but then was told there's definitely no need for it??

Yes I was am an ex smoker, who sometimes relapses but don't smoke nicotine anymore just usually mullein leaf once a week to take the edge off... while I quit! No no contaminants as far as I know?

I am concerned about some of the figures as they the best are lower than the predicted? Should I be worried about this?

Please let me know your thoughts, thanks 😊

[soulsaver]

Well, if there is no obstruction then there is nothing to reverse, hence no reversibility test.

I doubt there is anything to be concerned about, but ask about the fef25-75 element which is a little slow - not unusual in smokers - but doubt if noticeable to you at that level and at your age.

See this as an early warning - give them up. Now.

[Ami40 in reply to soulsaver]

Thank you but I just don't get this, if there's no obstruction and no reversibility needed (as specified) by technician then why are they saying there's may be a chance of asthma? I haven't got the letter to hand but can show you it soon, basically says if my condition is responsive to inhalers than it could be asthma etc?

Yes, I'm concerned about fef25-75 element as you say, I've literally cut out all nicotine, like I said just the odd mullein leaf/lavender (which is tobacco/nicotine free) and now to keep me off the the cigs! However, will be trying to keep that to the bare minimum too 😉

[Hidden in reply to Ami40]

I think that would be because asthma is variable. So if you're not experiencing symptoms at the time of your test, your results come out normal (as yours have). If you were having an attack though, the same tests would show obstruction. COPD on the other hand is fixed obstruction so whenever you're tested your results demonstrate obstruction.

Interestingly, both my consultants have told me they pay no attention to fef25-75 (as the results are not properly standardised or validated or something like that) but from what I understand it is commonly lower in asthma and ex-smokers.

As for smoking- the lung damage isn't due to nicotine, it's due to the smoke itself so it doesn't matter what you're smoking- if it's smoke, it's still a harmful irritant and will still damage your lungs. Great that you've managed to cut down so much- that's a big achievement but your best bet is to stop entirely. Best of luck. Keep us updated when you get your official feedback from the docs.

[soulsaver]

Asthma reacts to stimuli, so ebbs and flows. So if test is on a 'good' day, not inflamed & not twitchy, it wouldn't show on spirometry.

Usually if asthma suspected they'd provide you with a peak expiry flow diary to monitor your condition.

asthma.org.uk/globalassets/...

Maybe they will when you see them again. Or maybe they have, already?

PS I didn't get notification on your last reply but did on this one... so something's been fixed

[Ami40 in reply to soulsaver]

Hi guys thanks for the feedback, yes will ask about fef25-75 but my consultants may say same as what artichokes says, yes I've been doing my PF diary, which ranges from 450 -550 really, his can climb to 600 on good days (600-650 best). I've only been doing 2 on a morning and 2 on a night as it does make me breathless? not done it for last 2 days as just had cov jab but will get back on it again. I need to definitely find out if I've got asthma... what is the best way for this? Been recording PF for a while now, and this is why I wanted reversibility but as stated by you guys if no obstruction then no reversibility needed, just thought it would confirm if asthma or not? 😭 should I be taking this inhaler etc?? If I don't need it.... ive got to the poimt if using my blue inhaler once in 2 weeks... already told my AN that I cut down taking Clenil as having nightmares etc... so was doing 2 puffs in the morning and 1 on a night, now just 1 morning and 1 on a night...this is 100 mcg too so smallest dose! Do I really need this? Feel like I've put weight on and become more bloated! Really getting a feeling, this is something else and not asthma related... it's more from bottom of ribs/sternum...lungs seem fine... Ah I see regarding the smoke, Ok yes smoking the mullein/lavender but cutting down as much as possible and will look at stopping👍🏽ill try discuss my results with Asthma nurse but she seemed a bit clueless last time lol... see if I can get a different one or Dr?