unusual PFT results

[ivan634]

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

  

[National Jewish Health]

The most likely explanation is the one you propose – "...possible this was a 'bad test' and my actual RV and FRC are normal."  Your interpretation of the other values is accurate.  You have nothing to worry about, on the basis of these results.

[ivan634]

also, my spirogram has a slight scoop that is not normalized with bronchodilator.  Could this just be evidence of the mild damage of smoking to my lungs.  Does this mean I will progress to obstructive lung disease (ie a drop in fev1 and fev1/fvc?)  some other numbers i didnt include are
                    ref       pre     %      post     %   %chg
FEF 75-85    1.64     1.26   77%   1.36   83     8
Fef 50          6.08      3.72   61     4.07    67     9
FEF 75        2.9       1.64    56     1.97    68     20
PEF            9.85      11.61   118    11.71  119   1

[ivan634]

I am hoping it is just an error in the test with respect to my RV and FRC.  is this likely?  or are these lung volume tests virtually fool proof?
thanks for any reply,
ivan

[ivan634]

Also, I was very anxious going into the test and was breathing more deeply than normal.  I was so anxious because i was worried about what the results would show.  It was a tense experience.  Could this falsely show a low FRC?