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What Is Low FEV6 Indicative Of?
Question: I have a good fev1 (4.53) and a good fev1/fev6 ratio (91%). But I have a low fev 6 (5.00) for my age group. I am also 180cm tall.
I did smoke for many years, but have been told my fev1/fev6 ratio means I do not have COPD.
So, what does a low fev6 mean?
I did smoke for many years, but have been told my fev1/fev6 ratio means I do not have COPD.
So, what does a low fev6 mean?
Brief Answer:
Low FEV6 suggests a possibility of restrictive lung disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
FEV6 is forced expiratory volume in 6 seconds.
It is also known as FVC (Forced Vital Capacity).
It is the amount of air exhaled forcefully in 6 seconds.
Low FEV6 with normal FEV1 and a normal FEV1/FEV6 ratio is suggestive of restrictive lung disease.
And the most common cause for the restrictive lung disease is Interstitial lung disease (ILD).
I want to know a few more things for further evaluation:
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have breathlessness on exertion?
3. Do you have chronic dry cough?
4. Can you send me an image of your PFT report?
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Low FEV6 suggests a possibility of restrictive lung disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
FEV6 is forced expiratory volume in 6 seconds.
It is also known as FVC (Forced Vital Capacity).
It is the amount of air exhaled forcefully in 6 seconds.
Low FEV6 with normal FEV1 and a normal FEV1/FEV6 ratio is suggestive of restrictive lung disease.
And the most common cause for the restrictive lung disease is Interstitial lung disease (ILD).
I want to know a few more things for further evaluation:
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have breathlessness on exertion?
3. Do you have chronic dry cough?
4. Can you send me an image of your PFT report?
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
1. I smoked for 27 years. I quit in April.
2. No, I am not breathless on exertion, although my endurance is not what it was.
3. Normally, no. When I get an upper respiratory infection, I do have a mostly dry cough that lingers for 2-3 weeks afterwards.
4. I don't have a copy of the report. My FEV1 was 4.53L, which is very high for my age group. But my FEV6 was a 5.00L, which is indicative of someone in their mid-50's according to the doctor.
Should I get a follow-up CT and biopsy? Or is the reduced FEV6 just a result of the smoking and not ILD?
2. No, I am not breathless on exertion, although my endurance is not what it was.
3. Normally, no. When I get an upper respiratory infection, I do have a mostly dry cough that lingers for 2-3 weeks afterwards.
4. I don't have a copy of the report. My FEV1 was 4.53L, which is very high for my age group. But my FEV6 was a 5.00L, which is indicative of someone in their mid-50's according to the doctor.
Should I get a follow-up CT and biopsy? Or is the reduced FEV6 just a result of the smoking and not ILD?
Brief Answer:
First get done chest x ray.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
So you were a chronic smoker.
This is the likely cause for your reduced FEV6.
In my opinion, first get done chest x ray.
If chest x ray is suggestive of interstitial lung disease then go for HRCT (high resolution CT) thorax.
If chest x ray is normal then get done repeat PFT after 3 months.
Please let me know
1. Have you ever undergone chest x ray?
2. Have you asked for DLCO and lung capacity testing?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
First get done chest x ray.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
So you were a chronic smoker.
This is the likely cause for your reduced FEV6.
In my opinion, first get done chest x ray.
If chest x ray is suggestive of interstitial lung disease then go for HRCT (high resolution CT) thorax.
If chest x ray is normal then get done repeat PFT after 3 months.
Please let me know
1. Have you ever undergone chest x ray?
2. Have you asked for DLCO and lung capacity testing?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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