Spirometry (Lung Function)

Lung Function Testing and Peak Flow!

Our aim is to provide you with one of the most affordable private lung capacity test services in London. The test results will be reviewed by one of our GP’s. If there was anything worrying on it, we may suggest an onward referral to a respiratory physician.

A Spirometry test (Lung Function Test/ Lung Capacity Test) diagnoses various lung conditions, especially Asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Pulmonary Fibrosis. It measures how well you breathe in and out and may be checked if you have unexplained breathlessness or a persistent cough. It would be especially useful to perform a lung capacity test if you are a smoker.

We cannot test for a diffusing capacity in a GP based Spirometry test. If you specifically need this done (which is usually not necessary), please book for a hospital-based full Lung function test.

Performing the Test–

In order to perform a spirometry test, you should be able to blow effectively. Hence, it is very difficult to do a lung capacity test in children. You should also not use your blue inhaler on the day of the test and not use your other inhalers for at least 12 hours beforehand.

If you are feeling unwell, have a significant cough or a chest infection, it is best to postpone your test for at least 4 weeks after you feel better. Do not smoke for 24 hours before the test.

You will be asked to blow hard into the spirometer.  You will then be given a blue inhaler to inhale, before resting for 15 minutes and then repeating a hard blow back into the spirometer again.

The aim is to see if your airways open wider after the blue inhaler.

Contraindications to Spirometry (that is, reasons we cannot perform spirometry on you)-

• Absolute Contraindications –
  • Active infection (e.g AFB positive TB until treted for 2 weeks).
  • Conditions that may cause serious consequences if aggravated by forced expiration (e.g dissecting/ unstable aortic aneurysm, current pneumothorax, recent surgery including ophthalmic, thoracic, abdominal and neurosurgery).
• Relative Contraindications –
  • Suspected respiratory infection in last 4 weeks.
  • Undiagnosed chest symptoms (e.g haemoptysis).
  • Any condition which may be aggravated by forced expiration (e.g history of prior pneumothorax; unstable vascular status such as recent [within 1 month] MI, uncontrolled hypertension, pulmonary embolism or history of haemorrhagic event [stroke]; previous thoracic, abdominal or eye surgery.
  • If the patient is too ill to perform a forced expiration.
  • Communication difficulties such as learning disability or confusion.

Interpretation Difficulties–

On occasions, your doctor may have trouble interpreting your reversibility (as your tests are equivocal) and is unsure if you have asthma or COPD. Your doctor may then ask you to take oral or inhaled medication before repeating your spirometry. This will make it easier to establish your diagnosis.

Results–

Your GP will review your Lung Capacity Test and mark it as being either normal or abnormal.

If there were any abnormalities, we would recommend that you see our GP to fully discuss your Lung Capacity Test results.