What should you know about spirometry blood test?

During spirometry, you breathe through a mouthpiece while a device records how much and how quickly air moves. Blood work involves collecting a sample, usually from a vein, and sending it for selected laboratory measurements. The tests cannot substitute for one another.

A clinician may request blood work when fatigue, breathlessness, fever, weight change, inflammation or other findings could have a non-lung explanation. Depending on the assessment, possibilities considered may include anaemia, chronic kidney disease, coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, glandular fever, dengue fever or another illness. A link here does not mean that condition is present.

Check whether your appointment is for breathing testing, blood work, or both. Ask whether you should eat normally, avoid strenuous activity, change any medicine, or bring previous results. Do not stop prescribed treatment unless the clinician or testing service specifically tells you to do so.

Get urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, confusion, blue or grey lips, or bleeding that will not stop after a blood draw. Contact your clinician promptly for persistent fatigue, unexplained fever, worsening weakness or breathlessness, especially when symptoms interfere with ordinary activities.

Ask why each test was ordered, what result would change the next step, and when results will be reviewed. Clarify whether you need both tests and whether medicines, food or illness could affect either result.