I have recently had a PFT with unusual results that are causing me alot of anxiety. Here they are:
Ref Pre %Ref Post %ref %chg
FVC 5.86 5.6 96 5.72 98 2
FEV1 4.66 4.14 89 4.35 93 5
Fev1 79 74 93 76 96 3
/FVC%
FEF 4.91 3.23 66 3.54 72 9
25/75%
Lung Volumes
Ref Pre %ref
TLC 7.71 6.89 89
VC 5.86 5.93 101
FRCN2 3.8 2.37 62 ******
RV 1.86 0.96 51 *******
Diffusing capacity
Ref Meas Percent
DLCO 35.5 41.6 117
VA 7.54 7.03 93
The numbers that are troubling me are the FRC and RV, both of which are uncharacteristically low. From what I understand, in restrictive lung disease the TLC and VC decrease proportionately. Is it possible this was a "bad test" and my actual RV and FRC are normal, given the normal nature of the reset of the test. Also, I see that my mid flows (fef 25-75%) are low, but still just above normal. I noted I was more short of breath easier than other people I knew with stairs and brisk walking etc... but not really badly short of breath. I am a 22 year old male with a 4 pack year smoking history and I quit 2 years ago (I was started very young by an adult grrr....) Basically I was worried I had early stages of COPD or something and this test shows that I dont, with a normal fev1 and fev1/fvc. I was also told that a low Fef25-75% can be a normal variant. But now I have a new thing to worry about - my RV and FRC. I was hoping this test would ease my worries, but now it has just presented new ones. HELP!
ivan