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Pulmonary Function Test Showed Asthma. Spirometry Showed A Forced Vital Capacity Of 3.5 L. Do I Have Interstitial Lung Disease?
Question: PLEASE help!
Had a pulmonary function test and the doctor said it showed asthma but this to me shows like intersitual lung disease im so scared!
Spirometry showed a forced vital capacity of 3.5 L which is 95% of predicted and FEV1 2.8 L which is 96% of predicted. FEV1/FVC is 81% the mid flow rates are moderately decreased. Significant improvement seen in mild flow rates with administration of bronchodilater.
THe lung volume shows normal vital capacity and total lung capacity . The functional residual capacity is severely impaired.
The diffusion is midely impaired but when corrected to alveolar volume it is normal.
Conclusion
1. Spirometry and flow volume loop show small airway disease. Significant improvement seen in mid flow rates with administration of bronchodilator
2. Lung volumes show significcantly decreased functional residual capacity , but otherwise normal
3. the diffusion is midly impaired, but when corrected to aleveolar volume it is normal
what does all that mean? are my lungs dying? I have lupus (mild) and have had GERD the past 2 weeks. and I have POTS.
please tell me im going to be okay, do i have interstiual lung diseas?? am i going to die? or is this tryly just asthma
Had a pulmonary function test and the doctor said it showed asthma but this to me shows like intersitual lung disease im so scared!
Spirometry showed a forced vital capacity of 3.5 L which is 95% of predicted and FEV1 2.8 L which is 96% of predicted. FEV1/FVC is 81% the mid flow rates are moderately decreased. Significant improvement seen in mild flow rates with administration of bronchodilater.
THe lung volume shows normal vital capacity and total lung capacity . The functional residual capacity is severely impaired.
The diffusion is midely impaired but when corrected to alveolar volume it is normal.
Conclusion
1. Spirometry and flow volume loop show small airway disease. Significant improvement seen in mid flow rates with administration of bronchodilator
2. Lung volumes show significcantly decreased functional residual capacity , but otherwise normal
3. the diffusion is midly impaired, but when corrected to aleveolar volume it is normal
what does all that mean? are my lungs dying? I have lupus (mild) and have had GERD the past 2 weeks. and I have POTS.
please tell me im going to be okay, do i have interstiual lung diseas?? am i going to die? or is this tryly just asthma
Brief Answer:
No interstitial lung diseae, you will be okay
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for your query.
I have gone through the Pulmonary function test report as mentioned in your post.
1. It basically reveals a disease in the smaller airway which improves on administration of bronchodilator. This is indicative of either asthma or hypersensitivity of lower airways to any allergen.
2. Please do not get concerned about having Interstitial lung disease.
Interstitial lung disease involves the lung parenchyma & does not improve with administration of bronchodilator. So, this can be ruled out.
3. In your history you have mentioned about taking Atenolol. This medication can cause constriction of bronchioles (smaller air passages) in susceptible individuals & aggravates the situation. Kindly consult your treating Physician & get the medicine changed.
4. Asthma/ hypersensitivity of lower airways can be taken care of by using a bronchodilator during acute attacks & Montelukast preparations for maintenance therapy.
There is no need to worry, you are going to be fine.
Make sure that you maintain adequate hydration & nutrition status & protect yourself from exposure to cold, dust or other allergens.
Wishing a good health.
Please let me know if I can clarify further.
Take care.
No interstitial lung diseae, you will be okay
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for your query.
I have gone through the Pulmonary function test report as mentioned in your post.
1. It basically reveals a disease in the smaller airway which improves on administration of bronchodilator. This is indicative of either asthma or hypersensitivity of lower airways to any allergen.
2. Please do not get concerned about having Interstitial lung disease.
Interstitial lung disease involves the lung parenchyma & does not improve with administration of bronchodilator. So, this can be ruled out.
3. In your history you have mentioned about taking Atenolol. This medication can cause constriction of bronchioles (smaller air passages) in susceptible individuals & aggravates the situation. Kindly consult your treating Physician & get the medicine changed.
4. Asthma/ hypersensitivity of lower airways can be taken care of by using a bronchodilator during acute attacks & Montelukast preparations for maintenance therapy.
There is no need to worry, you are going to be fine.
Make sure that you maintain adequate hydration & nutrition status & protect yourself from exposure to cold, dust or other allergens.
Wishing a good health.
Please let me know if I can clarify further.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Can you please help me understand what conclusion 2 and 3 mean on my report.
it says lung volume show significally decreased functional residual capacity, but otherwise normal..
Why do I have decreased functional residual capacity? why is that happening??
and secondly was is my diffusion mildly impaired? and what does it mean when its corrected to alveolar volume it becomes normal?
I just dont understand what that means in regards to asthma and my lungs
my FRC (functional residual capacity) states its significantly decreased , but otherwise normal - isnt FRC decreased in Restrictive lung diseases LIKE institual lung diseases and worse pulmonary fibrosis; and in asthma isnt it INCREASED im so nervouse!
it says lung volume show significally decreased functional residual capacity, but otherwise normal..
Why do I have decreased functional residual capacity? why is that happening??
and secondly was is my diffusion mildly impaired? and what does it mean when its corrected to alveolar volume it becomes normal?
I just dont understand what that means in regards to asthma and my lungs
my FRC (functional residual capacity) states its significantly decreased , but otherwise normal - isnt FRC decreased in Restrictive lung diseases LIKE institual lung diseases and worse pulmonary fibrosis; and in asthma isnt it INCREASED im so nervouse!
Brief Answer:
Kindly view the details
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for your follow up query.
1. “Lung volumes show significantly decreased functional residual capacity, but otherwise normal”: This indicates that there is decrease in volume of air present in lung at the time of expiration. You are correct regarding the fact that FRC increases in individuals with asthma, but that occurs after many years & is associated with “barrel shaped” deformity of chest.
2. “The diffusion is mildly impaired, but when corrected to alveolar volume it is normal”: this indicates that there is inadequate passage of oxygen from lungs to the blood. But when this value is calculated based on the volume of air present in the alveoli, it comes within normal limits. Diffusion tests are carried out in individuals suspected of Restrictive lung disease. It was done so in your case, but ultimately gives a normal report.
3. In your case, decrease in FRC can be possible if there is involvement of lung parenchyma, as seen in individuals with Lupus. Kindly discuss with your treating Physician regarding this.
4. Investigation like Pulmonary Function Tests can only give information regarding the functional status of the lungs. It is advisable to get a High Resolution CT scan (HRCT) of chest done. It gives information regarding the anatomy/ structure of the lung & will be helpful to detect interstitial lung pathology (if any).
Hope I have been able to answer your query. Please let me know if I can clarify further.
There is no need to worry.
Wishing a good health.
Take care.
Kindly view the details
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for your follow up query.
1. “Lung volumes show significantly decreased functional residual capacity, but otherwise normal”: This indicates that there is decrease in volume of air present in lung at the time of expiration. You are correct regarding the fact that FRC increases in individuals with asthma, but that occurs after many years & is associated with “barrel shaped” deformity of chest.
2. “The diffusion is mildly impaired, but when corrected to alveolar volume it is normal”: this indicates that there is inadequate passage of oxygen from lungs to the blood. But when this value is calculated based on the volume of air present in the alveoli, it comes within normal limits. Diffusion tests are carried out in individuals suspected of Restrictive lung disease. It was done so in your case, but ultimately gives a normal report.
3. In your case, decrease in FRC can be possible if there is involvement of lung parenchyma, as seen in individuals with Lupus. Kindly discuss with your treating Physician regarding this.
4. Investigation like Pulmonary Function Tests can only give information regarding the functional status of the lungs. It is advisable to get a High Resolution CT scan (HRCT) of chest done. It gives information regarding the anatomy/ structure of the lung & will be helpful to detect interstitial lung pathology (if any).
Hope I have been able to answer your query. Please let me know if I can clarify further.
There is no need to worry.
Wishing a good health.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
so is it possible to have a decrease in FRC but not have permenent lung damage? I really dont want to die soon; and i really dont want to have a hard time breathing for the rest of my life- this just started 2.5 weeks ago :( :( . I have had clear Chest xrays. and I did have a CT of my lungs with contrast when i was SOB in XXXXXXX (but that came back negative). I am so scared . can simple inflammation cause decreased FRC? and itll go away on its own? I see a lung doctor on wed. and why would the Primary doctor say I have asthma and THATS it
Brief Answer:
Kindly view the details
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
1. Decrease in FRC in only an indicator of lung parenchyma involvement.
It is not a diagnostic method.
Of course a decrease in FRC values are seen in infection/inflammation of lung parenchyma.
2. The diagnosis of your primary doctor is based on the reports of Pulmonary Function Test, which is suggestive of Asthma.
Regarding the Restrictive lung condition, it gives a normal result.
The clear chest X XXXXXXX & normal CT lungs also indicate towards the same.
3. Please do not get depressed & worried with the thoughts of sufferings & death.
Since your symptoms have just started, the exact cause can be determined at the earliest & appropriate management step can be taken when you visit the lung doctor on Wednesday.
There is no need to worry.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
Kindly view the details
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
1. Decrease in FRC in only an indicator of lung parenchyma involvement.
It is not a diagnostic method.
Of course a decrease in FRC values are seen in infection/inflammation of lung parenchyma.
2. The diagnosis of your primary doctor is based on the reports of Pulmonary Function Test, which is suggestive of Asthma.
Regarding the Restrictive lung condition, it gives a normal result.
The clear chest X XXXXXXX & normal CT lungs also indicate towards the same.
3. Please do not get depressed & worried with the thoughts of sufferings & death.
Since your symptoms have just started, the exact cause can be determined at the earliest & appropriate management step can be taken when you visit the lung doctor on Wednesday.
There is no need to worry.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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