Spirometry
Spirometry in Rutherford, a closer look at your lungs.
A simple breathing test to measure how well your lungs work, used to diagnose and monitor asthma and COPD.
Measuring how well your lungs work.
Spirometry measures how much air you can breathe out and how quickly. It helps diagnose asthma and COPD, and track how your lungs are going over time.
Rutherford Doctors offers spirometry in clinic. Consultations are bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients.
Has your GP recommended spirometry?
How we can help.
Choose a topic to learn what is involved and when to see a GP.
Why spirometry
Common reasons for the test.
To help diagnose asthma or COPD.
To track lung function over time.
Ongoing cough, wheeze or breathlessness.
What it measures
Key results.
How much air you blow out in one second.
The total amount you can blow out.
The comparison between the two.
Preparing
Getting ready for the test.
Your GP may ask you to pause some inhalers beforehand.
Smoking, heavy meals and vigorous exercise before the test.
Wear comfortable, loose clothing.
After the test
What happens next.
Your GP reviews and explains the results.
Your asthma or COPD plan may be updated.
Further tests or a specialist if needed.
Something else on your mind? Our GPs can help.
Spirometry results explained.
What the main measures mean.
Forced expiratory volume
FEV1
Lower values can suggest narrowed airways.
Compared with expected values for your age and height.
Forced vital capacity
FVC
Helps assess overall lung function.
Compared with expected values.
Ratio
FEV1/FVC ratio
A low ratio can suggest asthma or COPD.
Your GP interprets the results.
Before and after
Bronchodilator test
Improvement after a reliever can suggest asthma.
Takes a little longer.
Your GP interprets your results alongside your symptoms and history.
Ready to test your lungs?
Having spirometry.
What to expect.
Inhalers
Check first
Ask whether to pause any inhalers before your test.
Not suitable if
Recent issues
Tell us about recent chest infection, eye surgery or heart problems.
Call 000 for
- Severe breathlessness
- Unable to speak in sentences
- Blue lips
- Reliever not helping
Step by step
- 1Prepare
You sit upright and a soft clip is placed on your nose.
- 2Breathe
You take a deep breath in, then blow out as hard and fast as you can.
- 3Repeat
This is repeated at least three times.
- 4Reliever
Sometimes the test is repeated after a reliever puffer.
- 5Review
Your GP reviews the results with you.
Book your test.
Feeling light-headed
Some people feel briefly light-headed. You can rest between blows.
Monitoring
People with asthma or COPD may have spirometry regularly.
Do I need spirometry?
Select your situation.
Book an appointment.
Our GPs.
Choose a GP or book the first available.
No preference? Book the first available GP.
Spirometry questions.
Does spirometry hurt?
It should not hurt. It involves blowing hard into a device, and some people feel briefly light-headed.
How long does it take?
Usually 15 to 30 minutes, including a reliever if needed.
Should I use my inhalers before?
Your GP may ask you to pause some inhalers. Check when you book.
Is it bulk billed?
Consultations are bulk billed for Medicare-eligible patients.
Who needs spirometry?
People with symptoms like ongoing cough or breathlessness, and people with asthma or COPD.
Further reading
Flu vaccination in Rutherford: who can get a free flu shotThis page provides general information about spirometry services at Rutherford Doctors. It is not a substitute for advice about your own health. Please book an appointment to discuss your situation. In an emergency, call 000.
