TLCO

[Issma]

Hi all, just a quick question. Hubby's TLCO was 18%, can anyone tell me exactly what this means. Due for next round of tests soon.Thanks in advance

[Brecksfield]

Hi Issma, I am an IPF patient aged 59 with a TLCO of 34%.

TLCO is a measure of gas transfer from the lungs into the bloodstream, and I would say 18% is seriously low, so I expect your husband is on quite a high flow rate of oxygen.

I was officially diagnosed in Dec 2012 after a biopsy, but I was still working then. However as this disease has progressed, and I now use oxygen, I had to give up work in 2015.

I believe the three most important readings for people with IPF are, FVC (forced vital capacity), TLC (total lung capacity) and the DLCO/TLCO.

I do hope the next round of tests go well.

Best wishes to you both,

Tony.

[Issma in reply to Brecksfield]

Thankyou Tony, yes he's on oxygen all the time now and quite a high rate, must admit I'm not looking forward to the next lot of tests. He seems to have deteriorated in the last couple of months. His last fev1 and fvc were both 36%. We'll see eh? Thanks again for your reply. Best of wishes to you too.

[Sooki]

Hi mine is 20% but I am still only on ambulatory oxygen,I really don't understand the significance of  a low DLCO ,as my FVC is not too bad around 69%.When I asked my consultant is that bad I didn't get an answer,as she was interrupted by someone entering the room,and me going for another test so I don't know if it's significant in the progression of this shitty disease.Sooki.

[Issma in reply to Sooki]

Thanks Sooki, I'm hoping to get some answers when we go to our next app but as its not till July I thought I'd put the question out there for anyone who knew. I'll let you know what I find out. Best wishes .