Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are a group of tests done to measure how well your lungs work. Tests conducted under PFTs are considered to be the most important tools in investigating and monitoring patients with respiratory pathology. The various tests conducted under PFTs looks at how well you can breathe, and how effectively, your lungs bring in oxygen to the rest of the body.

DLCO, is one of the most clinically valuable tests of lung function. It tests for the diffusing capacity of the Lungs for Carbon Monoxide and measures the ability of the lungs to transfer oxygen from inhaled air to the red blood cells in pulmonary capillaries. This is one of the most effective test to identify how weakened your lungs are due to different illness including COPD and ILD.

As the name suggests, Broncho Provocation Test (BPT) is done by provoking breathing tubes by making one inhale small doses of Methocholine. The test helps to identify the cause of chronic cough. It can almost conclusively rule out the possibility of Asthma as the cause of one’s cough.

SPIROMETRY (measuring of breath), is the commonest of the PFTs. It studies lung function by measuring the volume and flow of air one inhales and exhales. Conditions such as Asthma, Pulmonary Fibrosis and COPD can be assessed through this test.