Lung health tests
Find out how lung health tests, which your doctor might call lung function tests (LFTs) or pulmonary function tests (PFTs), are used to assess and monitor your lungs.
2 min read
Looking at:
How well your lungs are working (how much air you can breathe in and out, how well, and how much oxygen gets from your lungs into your body).
What to expect:
There are a few different types of lung function tests. These sometimes involve breathing into tubes in certain ways. The doctor may also listen to the sound inside your lungs.
Common tests you might be asked to take include:1
Spirometry and lung volume tests measure the capacity and flow of air into the lungs.
Pulse oximetry, the carbon monoxide diffusion test, and capillary blood sampling are three different measures that show how effectively the air reaches the blood.
Most tests will be conducted at a specialist lung clinic, but some can be done at your managing doctor's office.
Understanding your results:
This varies depending on the test. Your doctor will monitor any changes over time.
Did you know?
Pulse oximetry shows you the percentage of oxygen in your blood. Normal blood oxygen saturation is around 94-99% in healthy people.2
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BMJ Best Practice. Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma): diagnosis. Available: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/295/investigations [Accessed December 2021].
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British Heart Foundation. Breathing and lung function tests. Pulse oximetry test. Available: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/breathing-tests/tests-measure-oxygen-levels [Accessed December 2021].
"Try and get as much information as you can from your doctor. He or she is the expert. Take notes and don't be afraid to ask."
– Mike