Spirometry is a test to measure lung volumes and rates of flow.
It is one part of a comprehensive pulmonary function test (PFT) to assess the health of your lungs.
Spirometry is a physiological test that measures inhaled and exhaled volumes of air as a function of time. The primary signal measured in spirometry is volume or flow. Spirometry measures the vital capacity (VC), the largest volume of air that can either be inspired or expired from the lungs. VC measured from a maximal forced exhalation is called the forced vital capacity (FVC). The most commonly measured parameters from the FVC maneuver are the FVC itself and the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Various flows can be measured in conjunction with an FVC maneuver, either at specific points or across specific intervals.
The Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO) test
It is also a part of the comprehensive pulmonary function test (PFT) used in respirology clinics. It will assess the lungs' ability to transfer gas from inhaled air into the bloodstream. It measures how effectively oxygen moves from the alveoli into the pulmonary capillaries by evaluating the uptake of a small, safe amount of carbon monoxide.
This test is particularly useful for diagnosing and monitoring conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, and emphysema. A reduced DLCO may indicate impaired gas exchange due to alveolar damage, vascular abnormalities, or ventilation-perfusion mismatch.
The DLCO test is often performed alongside spirometry and lung volume measurements to provide a comprehensive evaluation of lung function