Question 1

if you fail a pft does it mean you have asthma?

Accepted Answer

PFT: Failing a pft could be due to different reasons, not necesarily due to asthma, your clinical history is more important than the pft to say if you have asthma, then the pfts, and sometimes we are not sure and have to wait or do other tests.

Question 2

pft shows decreased diffusion capacity and i have been experiencing dyspnea and gradually worsening.  does this mean it's just asthma?

Accepted Answer

No : Asthma doesn't affect diffusing capacity, but COPD does. You should discuss this with the physician who ordered the test. If you don't get the answers you need, make an appointment with a pulmonologist, get a copy of the report, and take it with you.

Question 3

just had a pft and was told that i have small airway disease showing obstructions in my small airways. what does that mean? i.e. asthma or copd or something else? born at 27.5 weeks and on vent as baby.

Accepted Answer

Still controversial: Small airway is considered the primary defect in asthma but one cannot diagnose the presence of asthma by small airway obstruction alone.  In fact it is often present in seemingly well controlled asthma. I presume that your fvc and fev-1 were normal and thus would not lose sleep over it.  COPD is also not diagnosed by this measure.

Question 4

did methocholine challenge and only dropped 12%. dr says negative for asthma. how accurate is test? did pft as well and was normal.

Accepted Answer

Quite Accurate: The methacholine challenge is useful to see if you have hyper-reactive airways that are seen in patients with asthma. If you have shortness of breath but a normal methacholine challenge and normal pulmonary function tests, there is likely a non-asthma cause for your shortness of breath. Depending on your symptoms, though could be a vocal cord disorder, for example.

Question 5

pft: fvc 39% fev1 39% rv/tlc 49% rv 151% please interpret these results for me, is it asthma and how bad ? thanks?

Accepted Answer

: Please provide the TLC, DLCP adjusted for volume and your BMI. Do you smoke? shortness of breath? The airflow on the larger airways is reduced. More details would be helpful. Asthma diagnosis also is a clinical diagnosis and more information is needed. Keep all vaccinations up to date.

Question 6

my doctor did a pft test on me and said i have asthma but i would like a second opinion where in las vegas should i go for that?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonologist: I suggest going on your insurance carrier website and searching for a pulmonologist in your area. The other option is to ask friends or family if they know any pulmomologists. They will repeat the test in detail and review the results with you.

Question 7

hyperventilation syndrome vs. hyperinflated lungs? how do i find out which one i have. pft dr. said i have asthma. my symptoms match chv. need help...

Accepted Answer

Follow your doc: Follow your doctor's advice and don't diagnose yourself. Symptoms can overlap between different entities and if they started you on a treatment plan, follow it.

Question 8

pulmonary function test in the past show asthma diagnosis. tomorrow i have repeated pft for uncontrolled asthma.  any suggestions?

Accepted Answer

Do your best: To see where you stand now vs first pft. Your ordering provider should know how to step-wise increase therapies / preventatives and controllers for your symptom frequency and severity so you are not excessively dependent on your rescue inhaler.

Question 9

copd at age 27? had pft and diagnosed with asthma. 3+ months ago i had pneumonia. now i'm having symptoms of hyperinflated lungs.

Accepted Answer

COPD: COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  On xray...One will very commonly find hyperinflated lungs (by rib counting..Rough and dirty way).  You should have pft's if you haven't already.  Your not smoking i hope.  There is good medical treatment out there.  Go to your pcp or pulmonologist.

Question 10

2 yrs ago i developed inc hr w/ min exercise, asthma, angina, palpitations, fatigue, spasms, ha. normal tests except pft and lines on cxr. what is it?

Accepted Answer

Conundrum : You have a constellation of symptoms which makes diagnosis challenging.  You need thorough evaluation with a physician & potentially a consultant or two to help solve (& treat) this mystery.

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Doctor answers about:

If you fail a pft does it mean you have asthma

A member asked:

If you fail a pft does it mean you have asthma?

A member asked:

Pft shows decreased diffusion capacity and i have been experiencing dyspnea and gradually worsening. does this mean it's just asthma?

A member asked:

Just had a pft and was told that i have small airway disease showing obstructions in my small airways. what does that mean? i.e. asthma or copd or something else? born at 27.5 weeks and on vent as baby.

A member asked:

Did methocholine challenge and only dropped 12%. dr says negative for asthma. how accurate is test? did pft as well and was normal.

A member asked:

Pft: fvc 39% fev1 39% rv/tlc 49% rv 151% please interpret these results for me, is it asthma and how bad ? thanks?

A member asked:

My doctor did a pft test on me and said i have asthma but i would like a second opinion where in las vegas should i go for that?

A member asked:

Hyperventilation syndrome vs. hyperinflated lungs? how do i find out which one i have. pft dr. said i have asthma. my symptoms match chv. need help...

A member asked:

Pulmonary function test in the past show asthma diagnosis. tomorrow i have repeated pft for uncontrolled asthma. any suggestions?

A member asked:

Copd at age 27? had pft and diagnosed with asthma. 3+ months ago i had pneumonia. now i'm having symptoms of hyperinflated lungs.

A member asked:

2 yrs ago i developed inc hr w/ min exercise, asthma, angina, palpitations, fatigue, spasms, ha. normal tests except pft and lines on cxr. what is it?

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