Spirometry Test Results: What Do They Mean?

[Guest guest]

I recently had lung function tests. My doctor didn't seem concerned

about my lung volume or diffusion test, but he was about the

spirometry results. I got a printout of the results, but I'm not sure

what they mean.

My spirometry test percentages (of the reference numbers) were more

than 100 on the FVC and (after broncho-dilation) on the PEF. So I

guess I'm okay there.

But my numbers on the FEV1, FEF25-75% and FEF50% were all below 80%

even after dilation. In fact, the FEF numbers were less than 50% of

the reference even after dilation. (This all assumes that I'm reading

the chart correctly. <grin>) I have no idea whether this is

significant or not.

I'd appreciate any info anybody on this list can offer. Thanks in advance.

--

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It is a bit complicated explaining what the spirometry test means. There are so

many variables. Here are a couple sites I've used that I hope will be helpful.

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~daa/lecture/pft.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spirometry/RefCalculator.html

And this question and answer site with Dr. Petty is invaluable in my opinion.

http://www.yourlunghealth.org/dr_tom/index.cfm

Stay well and happy,

Nan (tumbling@...)

--

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.

Nan of CA tumbling@...

---- Remson wrote:

I recently had lung function tests. My doctor didn't seem concerned

about my lung volume or diffusion test, but he was about the

spirometry results. I got a printout of the results, but I'm not sure

what they mean.

My spirometry test percentages (of the reference numbers) were more

than 100 on the FVC and (after broncho-dilation) on the PEF. So I

guess I'm okay there.

But my numbers on the FEV1, FEF25-75% and FEF50% were all below 80%

even after dilation. In fact, the FEF numbers were less than 50% of

the reference even after dilation. (This all assumes that I'm reading

the chart correctly. <grin>) I have no idea whether this is

significant or not.

I'd appreciate any info anybody on this list can offer. Thanks in advance.

--

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the links, Nan.

--

===============

> I recently had lung function tests. My doctor didn't seem concerned

> about my lung volume or diffusion test, but he was about the

> spirometry results. I got a printout of the results, but I'm not sure

> what they mean.

>

> My spirometry test percentages (of the reference numbers) were more

> than 100 on the FVC and (after broncho-dilation) on the PEF. So I

> guess I'm okay there.

>

> But my numbers on the FEV1, FEF25-75% and FEF50% were all below 80%

> even after dilation. In fact, the FEF numbers were less than 50% of

> the reference even after dilation. (This all assumes that I'm reading

> the chart correctly. <grin>) I have no idea whether this is

> significant or not.

>

> I'd appreciate any info anybody on this list can offer. Thanks in

advance.

>

> --

>