Guest guest Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Stefani, This is a good if confusing topic. I'm not at all sure however what a "PF Number". It's not a term I've ever heard before and I'm reasonably certain that nne was referring to one of the numbers from her PFT, possibly her DLCO or her TLC. Without knowing what that "28" is referring to it's impossible to say what it means. I have PFT's every three to six months. For me there are two numbers that are the most significant. Remember though these are the numbers that are most important to me, that may be different for someone else. Those numbers are the FVC and the DLCO. The FVC measures my ability to physically pull air into my lungs. According to my readout a woman of my age, my weight etc should be able to pull 3.04 liters of air when I inhale. I can pull in 1.46 liters or 48% of what is expected. The DLCO measures the ability of my lungs to transfer oxygen from my lungs to my bloodstream. THe explanation of how they measure the DLCO is complex and I know I can't explain it coherently. Suffice for the present to say that my DLCO is 9.2 mL/mmHg/min or 45% of expected. This means that my lungs transfer oxygen to my bloodstream with less than half the efficiency of a normal woman my age. The numbers that are most likely to change after a round of rehab are the numbers like the FVC that measure how well you can physically move air in and out. The DLCO is the least likely to change with exercise. Now all that said, we have to take the numbers from a single test with a grain of salt. These tests are best looked at in terms of trends. Whether you are trending down or remaining stable. There can also be flukey tests with weird results. Back in September I had a DLCO that was 34% of expected out of no where. I felt the same, was using the same amount of oxygen etc etc. The doctor told me not to panic and had me come back in two months for another pft. This time I was right back where I had been at 45%. Shrug....the DLCO can fluctuate sometimes and you can take the test on a Tuesday and then again on a Thursday and get different results. As I said, these are best looked at in groups.... so you can see progression or stability over time. Hope that makes some sense! Beth Moderator Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08 To: Breathe-Support Sent: Thu, December 10, 2009 7:48:21 PMSubject: Explaining numbers... Beth or Bruce -In our discussion about going into the store without oxygen, but using breathing and pacing strategies, nne stated that she was at 28% PF. I take this as a percentage she got from her Pulmonary Function Tests(PFTs). I am not sure what it is and was asking so I thought I would start a new thread to discuss what the numbers mean. I was told my lungs are functioning at 85%. Would that mean my PF number is 15%? Like many who are relatively new (I am new this year anyway), I do not know the significance of the numbers other than on the 6 minute walk test my distance improved after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehab. Overall, my cough calmed down and my breathing became more controlled with strategies and exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic). I have all kinds of PFT printouts, but don't know what the most significant numbers are. I keep them so I can present them to doctors. I have saved having two additional tests (within 2 weeks) and 2 CT scans (within 2 weeks). The assumption when you go into a doctors office is that you (1) do not have the required tests OR (2) the doctor doesn't want to have to learn how to use a viewer for CT scans OR (3) they do not "trust" results from another source. The call should be yours. There are times when I did not trust PFTs and was more than glad to have new ones run. Stefani 61 year old Utahn (moved here from MN)ILD 2/2006, NSIP (fibrotic) 10/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea 4/2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 StefaniThe terms saying we have a certain percentage of pulmonary function are a bit undefined as would saying we have a certain percentage of PF. In trying to simplify the terms for patients, I think the doctors are really making it more difficult to know exactly what they are saying. The most commonly used percentages from PFT's are FVC and FEV1 from the Spirometry, and TLC (Total Lung Capacity) from the Volume measurements and DLCO for Diffusion. With a PF'er FVC and DLCO are probably most used. Now if the doctor is saying your FVC is 85% or your TLC is 85% would make a pretty significant difference. An FVC of 85% for a PF patient would be extremely high. Many would consider 80% to still be in a "normal" range. The relationship of FVC to FEV1 is also a ratio used to differentiate restrictive and obstructive lung diseases. The more common lung function values measured with spirometry are: Forced vital capacity (FVC) . This measures the amount of air you can exhale with force after you inhale as deeply as possible. Forced expiratory volume (FEV) . This measures the amount of air you can exhale with force in one breath. The amount of air you exhale may be measured at 1 second (FEV1), 2 seconds (FEV2), or 3 seconds (FEV3). FEV1 divided by FVC can also be determined. Forced expiratory flow 25% to 75%. This measures the air flow halfway through an exhale (FVC). Peak expiratory flow (PEF) . This measures how quickly you can exhale. It is usually measured at the same time as your forced vital capacity (FVC). Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) . This measures the greatest amount of air you can breathe in and out during one minute. Slow vital capacity (SVC) . This measures the amount of air you can slowly exhale after you inhale as deeply as possible. Total lung capacity (TLC) . This measures the amount of air in your lungs after you inhale as deeply as possible. Functional residual capacity (FRC) . This measures the amount of air in your lungs at the end of a normal exhaled breath. Expiratory reserve volume (ERV) . This measures the difference between the amount of air in your lungs after a normal exhale (FRC) and the amount after you exhale with force (RV).DLCO measures diffusion.PFT's are quite variable and imprecise, especially DLCO. So, a trend is generally looked for. Your condition on that day. What you ate. The equipment. The software. The technician. All these effect PFT's. Also, we even learn to do the tests better so that even if we're progressing a bit some of us can maintain our scores close to the same simply because we've got the experience of 9 sets of PFT's. I had one horrible set early last year because the mouthpiece was too large for me and I realized too late that I should have asked for another.So, I'd look at FVC, FEV1 and DLCO primarily and TLC to some degree. I found it helpful to put my scores on a spreadsheet so I could track them across and see trends and ignore irregularities. I also look at the absolute numbers. This helps catch errors (for instance they can pop in the wrong age or sex or height and end up with weird percentages). On the other hand, tests at different locations will have different scales on some tests. DLCO is again the least consistent.I run into similar on kidneys. My doctor might often say I'm at 40% of normal function. But what is that. Well, in my case its based in her case on Creatinine level but Protein and BUN and other measurements are also important. Of course my kidneys still better than my lungs so don't worry about them much.>> Beth or Bruce -> > In our discussion about going into the store without oxygen, but using breathing and pacing strategies, nne stated that she was at 28% PF. I take this as a percentage she got from her Pulmonary Function Tests(PFTs). I am not sure what it is and was asking so I thought I would start a new thread to discuss what the numbers mean. I was told my lungs are functioning at 85%. Would that mean my PF number is 15%? Like many who are relatively new (I am new this year anyway), I do not know the significance of the numbers other than on the 6 minute walk test my distance improved after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehab. Overall, my cough calmed down and my breathing became more controlled with strategies and exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic). I have all kinds of PFT printouts, but don't know what the most significant numbers are. I keep them so I can present them to doctors. I have saved having two additional tests (within 2 weeks) and 2 CT scans (within 2 weeks). The assumption when you go into a doctors office is that you (1) do not have the required tests OR (2) the doctor doesn't want to have to learn how to use a viewer for CT scans OR (3) they do not "trust" results from another source. The call should be yours. There are times when I did not trust PFTs and was more than glad to have new ones run. > > Stefani 61 year old Utahn (moved here from MN)> ILD 2/2006, NSIP (fibrotic) 10/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea 4/2009> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Stefani Also as Beth implied, the percentages are based on what they consider normal based on your age, height, sex and ethnicity and depending on where and the software weight. Just looking at FVC, Beth is expected to pull 3.04 liters but I'm expected to pull 4.88. So, at 1.84 I'm at only 37% of normal and at 1.46 she is at 48%. If suddenly you have an abnormally bad reading but it seems illogical based on how you feel and your saturation and oxygen usage, it may just be the test so don't panic. On the other hand, if suddenly you have a great reading that makes no sense, don't overreact. I had one FVC at 30% while all the others have been 36% or better. Fortunately, I didn't panic over it. On the other hand I had a DLCO at 51% once and no others have been over 42% with the last two at 35 and 34. So, I didn't suddenly jump up and down with the 51% and say I'm improving. I knew from my saturations how I stood. > > Stefani, > This is a good if confusing topic. I'm not at all sure however what a " PF Number " . It's not a term I've ever heard before and I'm reasonably certain that nne was referring to one of the numbers from her PFT, possibly her DLCO or her TLC. Without knowing what that " 28 " is referring to it's impossible to say what it means. > I have PFT's every three to six months. For me there are two numbers that are the most significant. Remember though these are the numbers that are most important to me, that may be different for someone else. > Those numbers are the FVC and the DLCO. The FVC measures my ability to physically pull air into my lungs. According to my readout a woman of my age, my weight etc should be able to pull 3.04 liters of air when I inhale. I can pull in 1.46 liters or 48% of what is expected. > > The DLCO measures the ability of my lungs to transfer oxygen from my lungs to my bloodstream. THe explanation of how they measure the DLCO is complex and I know I can't explain it coherently. Suffice for the present to say that my DLCO is 9.2 mL/mmHg/min or 45% of expected. This means that my lungs transfer oxygen to my bloodstream with less than half the efficiency of a normal woman my age. > > The numbers that are most likely to change after a round of rehab are the numbers like the FVC that measure how well you can physically move air in and out. The DLCO is the least likely to change with exercise. > > Now all that said, we have to take the numbers from a single test with a grain of salt. These tests are best looked at in terms of trends. Whether you are trending down or remaining stable. There can also be flukey tests with weird results. Back in September I had a DLCO that was 34% of expected out of no where. I felt the same, was using the same amount of oxygen etc etc. The doctor told me not to panic and had me come back in two months for another pft. This time I was right back where I had been at 45%. Shrug....the DLCO can fluctuate sometimes and you can take the test on a Tuesday and then again on a Thursday and get different results. As I said, these are best looked at in groups.... so you can see progression or stability over time. > > Hope that makes some sense! >  > Beth > Moderator > Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08 >  >  > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Stefani sfshaner@... > To: Breathe-Support > Sent: Thu, December 10, 2009 7:48:21 PM > Subject: Explaining numbers... > >  > Beth or Bruce - > > In our discussion about going into the store without oxygen, but using breathing and pacing strategies, nne stated that she was at 28% PF. I take this as a percentage she got from her Pulmonary Function Tests(PFTs). I am not sure what it is and was asking so I thought I would start a new thread to discuss what the numbers mean. I was told my lungs are functioning at 85%. Would that mean my PF number is 15%? Like many who are relatively new (I am new this year anyway), I do not know the significance of the numbers other than on the 6 minute walk test my distance improved after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehab. Overall, my cough calmed down and my breathing became more controlled with strategies and exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic). I have all kinds of PFT printouts, but don't know what the most significant numbers are. I keep them so I can present them to doctors. I have saved having two additional tests (within 2 weeks) and 2 CT scans (within 2 > weeks). The assumption when you go into a doctors office is that you (1) do not have the required tests OR (2) the doctor doesn't want to have to learn how to use a viewer for CT scans OR (3) they do not " trust " results from another source. The call should be yours. There are times when I did not trust PFTs and was more than glad to have new ones run. > > Stefani 61 year old Utahn (moved here from MN) > ILD 2/2006, NSIP (fibrotic) 10/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea 4/2009 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 http://noairtogo.tripod.com/pft.htmhttp://www.webmd.com/lung/lung-function-testsInfo on PFTs P PM (Polymositis) 12/98, UIP 8/00, o2 24/7 10 LPM 8/04, PH 3/06, ILL yo 61REMEMBER : All of you on Prednisone'stressed' spelled backwards is 'desserts'Subject: Explaining numbers...To: Breathe-Support Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 6:48 PM Beth or Bruce - In our discussion about going into the store without oxygen, but using breathing and pacing strategies, nne stated that she was at 28% PF. I take this as a percentage she got from her Pulmonary Function Tests(PFTs). I am not sure what it is and was asking so I thought I would start a new thread to discuss what the numbers mean. I was told my lungs are functioning at 85%. Would that mean my PF number is 15%? Like many who are relatively new (I am new this year anyway), I do not know the significance of the numbers other than on the 6 minute walk test my distance improved after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehab. Overall, my cough calmed down and my breathing became more controlled with strategies and exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic). I have all kinds of PFT printouts, but don't know what the most significant numbers are. I keep them so I can present them to doctors. I have saved having two additional tests (within 2 weeks) and 2 CT scans (within 2 weeks). The assumption when you go into a doctors office is that you (1) do not have the required tests OR (2) the doctor doesn't want to have to learn how to use a viewer for CT scans OR (3) they do not "trust" results from another source. The call should be yours. There are times when I did not trust PFTs and was more than glad to have new ones run. Stefani 61 year old Utahn (moved here from MN) ILD 2/2006, NSIP (fibrotic) 10/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea 4/2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 stefanie i find the numbers confusing too i use them to compare the current test to previous tests do the numbers stay the same, go up or go down? that tells me if i am stable, or if my condition has improved or gotten worse the last time i saw the transplant doc he compared the pfts from Sept to the rest they were up since last year, but down from when first diagnosed the cat scan is done the same day as my transplant doc appointment so he gets to see the cat scan right away via the hospital's computer pulmonary doc has access to it also since she is in the same hospital Pink Joyce R (IPF 3/06) IFA 5/09 Pennsylvania Donate Life Listed 1/09 Inactive 4/09 www.transplantfund.org--- Subject: Explaining numbers...To: Breathe-Support Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 7:48 PM Beth or Bruce -In our discussion about going into the store without oxygen, but using breathing and pacing strategies, nne stated that she was at 28% PF. I take this as a percentage she got from her Pulmonary Function Tests(PFTs). I am not sure what it is and was asking so I thought I would start a new thread to discuss what the numbers mean. I was told my lungs are functioning at 85%. Would that mean my PF number is 15%? Like many who are relatively new (I am new this year anyway), I do not know the significance of the numbers other than on the 6 minute walk test my distance improved after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehab. Overall, my cough calmed down and my breathing became more controlled with strategies and exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic). I have all kinds of PFT printouts, but don't know what the most significant numbers are. I keep them so I can present them to doctors. I have saved having two additional tests (within 2 weeks) and 2 CT scans (within 2 weeks). The assumption when you go into a doctors office is that you (1) do not have the required tests OR (2) the doctor doesn't want to have to learn how to use a viewer for CT scans OR (3) they do not "trust" results from another source. The call should be yours. There are times when I did not trust PFTs and was more than glad to have new ones run. Stefani 61 year old Utahn (moved here from MN)ILD 2/2006, NSIP (fibrotic) 10/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea 4/2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 thanks for the explanation mary beth one of the print outs with the pft is a graph that shows the highs and lows -- this helps the trend at Penn, they have me repeat the same test a few times until they get readings that match, i'm not sure what that is all about, but unless you are trained in PFT's, it is very confusing that's why i learned to look at the trends and comparisons, not just the specific numbers Pink Joyce R (IPF 3/06) IFA 5/09 Pennsylvania Donate Life Listed 1/09 Inactive 4/09 www.transplantfund.org--- Subject: Re: Explaining numbers...To: Breathe-Support Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 8:21 PM Stefani, This is a good if confusing topic. I'm not at all sure however what a "PF Number". It's not a term I've ever heard before and I'm reasonably certain that nne was referring to one of the numbers from her PFT, possibly her DLCO or her TLC. Without knowing what that "28" is referring to it's impossible to say what it means. I have PFT's every three to six months. For me there are two numbers that are the most significant. Remember though these are the numbers that are most important to me, that may be different for someone else. Those numbers are the FVC and the DLCO. The FVC measures my ability to physically pull air into my lungs. According to my readout a woman of my age, my weight etc should be able to pull 3.04 liters of air when I inhale. I can pull in 1.46 liters or 48% of what is expected. The DLCO measures the ability of my lungs to transfer oxygen from my lungs to my bloodstream. THe explanation of how they measure the DLCO is complex and I know I can't explain it coherently. Suffice for the present to say that my DLCO is 9.2 mL/mmHg/min or 45% of expected. This means that my lungs transfer oxygen to my bloodstream with less than half the efficiency of a normal woman my age. The numbers that are most likely to change after a round of rehab are the numbers like the FVC that measure how well you can physically move air in and out. The DLCO is the least likely to change with exercise. Now all that said, we have to take the numbers from a single test with a grain of salt. These tests are best looked at in terms of trends. Whether you are trending down or remaining stable. There can also be flukey tests with weird results. Back in September I had a DLCO that was 34% of expected out of no where. I felt the same, was using the same amount of oxygen etc etc. The doctor told me not to panic and had me come back in two months for another pft. This time I was right back where I had been at 45%. Shrug....the DLCO can fluctuate sometimes and you can take the test on a Tuesday and then again on a Thursday and get different results. As I said, these are best looked at in groups.... so you can see progression or stability over time. Hope that makes some sense! Beth Moderator Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08 From: Stefani <sfshaner (AT) gmail (DOT) com>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Thu, December 10, 2009 7:48:21 PMSubject: Explaining numbers... Beth or Bruce -In our discussion about going into the store without oxygen, but using breathing and pacing strategies, nne stated that she was at 28% PF. I take this as a percentage she got from her Pulmonary Function Tests(PFTs). I am not sure what it is and was asking so I thought I would start a new thread to discuss what the numbers mean. I was told my lungs are functioning at 85%. Would that mean my PF number is 15%? Like many who are relatively new (I am new this year anyway), I do not know the significance of the numbers other than on the 6 minute walk test my distance improved after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehab. Overall, my cough calmed down and my breathing became more controlled with strategies and exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic). I have all kinds of PFT printouts, but don't know what the most significant numbers are. I keep them so I can present them to doctors. I have saved having two additional tests (within 2 weeks) and 2 CT scans (within 2 weeks). The assumption when you go into a doctors office is that you (1) do not have the required tests OR (2) the doctor doesn't want to have to learn how to use a viewer for CT scans OR (3) they do not "trust" results from another source. The call should be yours. There are times when I did not trust PFTs and was more than glad to have new ones run. Stefani 61 year old Utahn (moved here from MN)ILD 2/2006, NSIP (fibrotic) 10/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea 4/2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Hi Beth, I was referring to PFT and it is the FVC that was measured at 28% according to pulmodudette at NY Presbyterian, sorry for any confusion. But all I can say is, it is just a number- the change in my activity level and SOB has been so dramatic over the past 4 weeks. nne,56, Fibrotic NSIP 6/09, Sjogrens, RA and polimyolitis 11/09. > > Stefani, > This is a good if confusing topic. I'm not at all sure however what a " PF Number " . It's not a term I've ever heard before and I'm reasonably certain that nne was referring to one of the numbers from her PFT, possibly her DLCO or her TLC. Without knowing what that " 28 " is referring to it's impossible to say what it means. > I have PFT's every three to six months. For me there are two numbers that are the most significant. Remember though these are the numbers that are most important to me, that may be different for someone else. > Those numbers are the FVC and the DLCO. The FVC measures my ability to physically pull air into my lungs. According to my readout a woman of my age, my weight etc should be able to pull 3.04 liters of air when I inhale. I can pull in 1.46 liters or 48% of what is expected. > > The DLCO measures the ability of my lungs to transfer oxygen from my lungs to my bloodstream. THe explanation of how they measure the DLCO is complex and I know I can't explain it coherently. Suffice for the present to say that my DLCO is 9.2 mL/mmHg/min or 45% of expected. This means that my lungs transfer oxygen to my bloodstream with less than half the efficiency of a normal woman my age. > > The numbers that are most likely to change after a round of rehab are the numbers like the FVC that measure how well you can physically move air in and out. The DLCO is the least likely to change with exercise. > > Now all that said, we have to take the numbers from a single test with a grain of salt. These tests are best looked at in terms of trends. Whether you are trending down or remaining stable. There can also be flukey tests with weird results. Back in September I had a DLCO that was 34% of expected out of no where. I felt the same, was using the same amount of oxygen etc etc. The doctor told me not to panic and had me come back in two months for another pft. This time I was right back where I had been at 45%. Shrug....the DLCO can fluctuate sometimes and you can take the test on a Tuesday and then again on a Thursday and get different results. As I said, these are best looked at in groups.... so you can see progression or stability over time. > > Hope that makes some sense! >  > Beth > Moderator > Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08 >  >  > > > > > ________________________________ > > To: Breathe-Support > Sent: Thu, December 10, 2009 7:48:21 PM > Subject: Explaining numbers... > >  > Beth or Bruce - > > In our discussion about going into the store without oxygen, but using breathing and pacing strategies, nne stated that she was at 28% PF. I take this as a percentage she got from her Pulmonary Function Tests(PFTs). I am not sure what it is and was asking so I thought I would start a new thread to discuss what the numbers mean. I was told my lungs are functioning at 85%. Would that mean my PF number is 15%? Like many who are relatively new (I am new this year anyway), I do not know the significance of the numbers other than on the 6 minute walk test my distance improved after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehab. Overall, my cough calmed down and my breathing became more controlled with strategies and exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic). I have all kinds of PFT printouts, but don't know what the most significant numbers are. I keep them so I can present them to doctors. I have saved having two additional tests (within 2 weeks) and 2 CT scans (within 2 > weeks). The assumption when you go into a doctors office is that you (1) do not have the required tests OR (2) the doctor doesn't want to have to learn how to use a viewer for CT scans OR (3) they do not " trust " results from another source. The call should be yours. There are times when I did not trust PFTs and was more than glad to have new ones run. > > Stefani 61 year old Utahn (moved here from MN) > ILD 2/2006, NSIP (fibrotic) 10/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea 4/2009 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Pink It's not likely given the controlled environment that the technician impacts it but I have experienced some technicians more diligent trying to get a better score than others. Some days even they appear to me to do it the extra time to see if you do better. However, I think the difference in us from day to day or hour to hour influences it more in those situations. But as you stated a graph of trends and then weighing what the PFT's say versus what you already know. I knew this week that I was requiring more oxygen and my saturations were down. My PFT's turned out to be down so they made sense. Had they been up, I would have known I'd just done a good job of taking them. I do know I'm much better at the testing procedure today than I was the first time or two. > > > > Stefani, > > This is a good if confusing topic. I'm not at all sure however > what a " PF Number " . It's not a term I've ever heard before and I'm > reasonably certain that nne was referring to one of the numbers > from her PFT, possibly her DLCO or her TLC. Without knowing what > that " 28 " is referring to it's impossible to say what it means. > > I have PFT's every three to six months. For me there are two numbers > that are the most significant. Remember though these are the numbers > that are most important to me, that may be different for someone else. > > Those numbers are the FVC and the DLCO. The FVC measures my > ability to physically pull air into my lungs. According to my readout a > woman of my age, my weight etc should be able to pull 3.04 > liters of air when I inhale. I can pull in 1.46 liters or 48% of > what is expected. > > > > The DLCO measures the ability of my lungs to transfer oxygen from my > lungs to my bloodstream. THe explanation of how they measure the > DLCO is complex and I know I can't explain it coherently. Suffice for > the present to say that my DLCO is 9.2 mL/mmHg/min or 45% of > expected. This means that my lungs transfer oxygen to my bloodstream > with less than half the efficiency of a normal woman my age. > > > > The numbers that are most likely to change after a round of rehab are > the numbers like the FVC that measure how well you can physically > move air in and out. The DLCO is the least likely to change with > exercise. > > > > Now all that said, we have to take the numbers from a single test with > a grain of salt. These tests are best looked at in terms of trends. > Whether you are trending down or remaining stable. There can also be > flukey tests with weird results. Back in September I had a DLCO that was > 34% of expected out of no where. I felt the same, was using the same > amount of oxygen etc etc. The doctor told me not to panic > and had me come back in two months for another pft. This time I was > right back where I had been at 45%. Shrug....the DLCO can fluctuate > sometimes and you can take the test on a Tuesday and then again on a > Thursday and get different results. As I said, these are best looked at > in groups.... so you can see progression or stability over time. > > > > Hope that makes some sense! > >  > > Beth > > Moderator > > Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08 > >  > >  > > > > > > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > > From: Stefani sfshaner@ > > To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. com > > Sent: Thu, December 10, 2009 7:48:21 PM > > Subject: Explaining numbers... > > > >  > > Beth or Bruce - > > > > In our discussion about going into the store without oxygen, but using > breathing and pacing strategies, nne stated that she was at 28% PF. > I take this as a percentage she got from her Pulmonary Function > Tests(PFTs). I am not sure what it is and was asking so I thought I > would start a new thread to discuss what the numbers mean. I was told my > lungs are functioning at 85%. Would that mean my PF number is 15%? Like > many who are relatively new (I am new this year anyway), I do not know > the significance of the numbers other than on the 6 minute walk test my > distance improved after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehab. Overall, my cough > calmed down and my breathing became more controlled with strategies and > exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic). I have all kinds of PFT > printouts, but don't know what the most significant numbers are. I keep > them so I can present them to doctors. I have saved having two > additional tests (within 2 weeks) and 2 CT scans (within 2 > > weeks). The assumption when you go into a doctors office is that you > (1) do not have the required tests OR (2) the doctor doesn't want to > have to learn how to use a viewer for CT scans OR (3) they do not > " trust " results from another source. The call should be yours. There are > times when I did not trust PFTs and was more than glad to have new ones > run. > > > > Stefani 61 year old Utahn (moved here from MN) > > ILD 2/2006, NSIP (fibrotic) 10/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea > 4/2009 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 MBGreat explination but here is a little more, FVC Forced Vital Capacity How much we can inhale, how big we can expand our lungs. DLCO is the Diffuseing Capacity for Carbon Monoxide in the lungs. I order to test how well we can move oxygen, they have us inhale a measured amount of CO and hold it and then measure how much is left in what we exhale. This shows how well we are "moving" o2 from our lungs to our bloodstream. I also watch the FEV1 which is the Forced Expiritory Volumn or how much you can exhale as it is harder to exhale everything when the lungs are getting stiffer. My FVC in Nov at NJH was 58%, my FEV1 was 67% and my DLCO was 38% of normal for a woman my age and size. I was excited because the DLCO is the same from last year. The year before I had dropped from 55% to 38% so I feel the Predisone is working. Hope this helps everyone understand their numbers. The longer I have this disease the more I learn. I'm getting really good at reading my own CT' scan ha haDyane Phoenix>> Stefani,> This is a good if confusing topic. I'm not at all sure however what a "PF Number". It's not a term I've ever heard before and I'm reasonably certain that nne was referring to one of the numbers from her PFT, possibly her DLCO or her TLC. Without knowing what that "28" is referring to it's impossible to say what it means. > I have PFT's every three to six months. For me there are two numbers that are the most significant. Remember though these are the numbers that are most important to me, that may be different for someone else.> Those numbers are the FVC and the DLCO. The FVC measures my ability to physically pull air into my lungs. According to my readout a woman of my age, my weight etc should be able to pull 3.04 liters of air when I inhale. I can pull in 1.46 liters or 48% of what is expected. > > The DLCO measures the ability of my lungs to transfer oxygen from my lungs to my bloodstream. THe explanation of how they measure the DLCO is complex and I know I can't explain it coherently. Suffice for the present to say that my DLCO is 9.2 mL/mmHg/min or 45% of expected. This means that my lungs transfer oxygen to my bloodstream with less than half the efficiency of a normal woman my age.> > The numbers that are most likely to change after a round of rehab are the numbers like the FVC that measure how well you can physically move air in and out. The DLCO is the least likely to change with exercise. > > Now all that said, we have to take the numbers from a single test with a grain of salt. These tests are best looked at in terms of trends. Whether you are trending down or remaining stable. There can also be flukey tests with weird results. Back in September I had a DLCO that was 34% of expected out of no where. I felt the same, was using the same amount of oxygen etc etc. The doctor told me not to panic and had me come back in two months for another pft. This time I was right back where I had been at 45%. Shrug....the DLCO can fluctuate sometimes and you can take the test on a Tuesday and then again on a Thursday and get different results. As I said, these are best looked at in groups.... so you can see progression or stability over time. > > Hope that makes some sense!>  > Beth> Moderator> Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08>  >  > > > > > ________________________________> To: Breathe-Support > Sent: Thu, December 10, 2009 7:48:21 PM> Subject: Explaining numbers...> >  > Beth or Bruce -> > In our discussion about going into the store without oxygen, but using breathing and pacing strategies, nne stated that she was at 28% PF. I take this as a percentage she got from her Pulmonary Function Tests(PFTs). I am not sure what it is and was asking so I thought I would start a new thread to discuss what the numbers mean. I was told my lungs are functioning at 85%. Would that mean my PF number is 15%? Like many who are relatively new (I am new this year anyway), I do not know the significance of the numbers other than on the 6 minute walk test my distance improved after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehab. Overall, my cough calmed down and my breathing became more controlled with strategies and exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic). I have all kinds of PFT printouts, but don't know what the most significant numbers are. I keep them so I can present them to doctors. I have saved having two additional tests (within 2 weeks) and 2 CT scans (within 2> weeks). The assumption when you go into a doctors office is that you (1) do not have the required tests OR (2) the doctor doesn't want to have to learn how to use a viewer for CT scans OR (3) they do not "trust" results from another source. The call should be yours. There are times when I did not trust PFTs and was more than glad to have new ones run. > > Stefani 61 year old Utahn (moved here from MN)> ILD 2/2006, NSIP (fibrotic) 10/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea 4/2009> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 How is your saturation in comparison? How is your oxygen requirement...liter flow still the same? If they're stable then it sure sounds stable. I prefer to look at those things in conjunction with PFT's and other signs. See if they're consistent. If so then you have what you need to know. Certainly your PFT's have appeared stable for that time. But you should also have a feel for it without looking at PFT's. > > > > Stefani, > > This is a good if confusing topic. I'm not at all sure however what a " PF Number " . It's not a term I've ever heard before and I'm reasonably certain that nne was referring to one of the numbers from her PFT, possibly her DLCO or her TLC. Without knowing what that " 28 " is referring to it's impossible to say what it means. > > I have PFT's every three to six months. For me there are two numbers that are the most significant. Remember though these are the numbers that are most important to me, that may be different for someone else. > > Those numbers are the FVC and the DLCO. The FVC measures my ability to physically pull air into my lungs. According to my readout a woman of my age, my weight etc should be able to pull 3.04 liters of air when I inhale. I can pull in 1.46 liters or 48% of what is expected. > > > > The DLCO measures the ability of my lungs to transfer oxygen from my lungs to my bloodstream. THe explanation of how they measure the DLCO is complex and I know I can't explain it coherently. Suffice for the present to say that my DLCO is 9.2 mL/mmHg/min or 45% of expected. This means that my lungs transfer oxygen to my bloodstream with less than half the efficiency of a normal woman my age. > > > > The numbers that are most likely to change after a round of rehab are the numbers like the FVC that measure how well you can physically move air in and out. The DLCO is the least likely to change with exercise. > > > > Now all that said, we have to take the numbers from a single test with a grain of salt. These tests are best looked at in terms of trends. Whether you are trending down or remaining stable. There can also be flukey tests with weird results. Back in September I had a DLCO that was 34% of expected out of no where. I felt the same, was using the same amount of oxygen etc etc. The doctor told me not to panic and had me come back in two months for another pft. This time I was right back where I had been at 45%. Shrug....the DLCO can fluctuate sometimes and you can take the test on a Tuesday and then again on a Thursday and get different results. As I said, these are best looked at in groups.... so you can see progression or stability over time. > > > > Hope that makes some sense! > >  > > Beth > > Moderator > > Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 Dermatomyositis 11/08 > >  > >  > > > > > > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > > From: Stefani sfshaner@ > > To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. com > > Sent: Thu, December 10, 2009 7:48:21 PM > > Subject: Explaining numbers... > > > >  > > Beth or Bruce - > > > > In our discussion about going into the store without oxygen, but using breathing and pacing strategies, nne stated that she was at 28% PF. I take this as a percentage she got from her Pulmonary Function Tests(PFTs). I am not sure what it is and was asking so I thought I would start a new thread to discuss what the numbers mean. I was told my lungs are functioning at 85%. Would that mean my PF number is 15%? Like many who are relatively new (I am new this year anyway), I do not know the significance of the numbers other than on the 6 minute walk test my distance improved after 4 weeks of pulmonary rehab. Overall, my cough calmed down and my breathing became more controlled with strategies and exercise (both aerobic and anaerobic). I have all kinds of PFT printouts, but don't know what the most significant numbers are. I keep them so I can present them to doctors. I have saved having two additional tests (within 2 weeks) and 2 CT scans (within > 2 > > weeks). The assumption when you go into a doctors office is that you (1) do not have the required tests OR (2) the doctor doesn't want to have to learn how to use a viewer for CT scans OR (3) they do not " trust " results from another source. The call should be yours. There are times when I did not trust PFTs and was more than glad to have new ones run. > > > > Stefani 61 year old Utahn (moved here from MN) > > ILD 2/2006, NSIP (fibrotic) 10/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Sleep Apnea 4/2009 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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