Pulmonary Function Test

Doctors order a PFT to diagnose breathing problems, to track a known lung disease over time, or to check whether a patient is safe to undergo major surgery. It is one of the most common tests in respiratory medicine because it gives objective numbers where symptoms alone can be misleading.

• Asthma (a condition where airways narrow and swell, causing wheezing and breathlessness)
• COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (long-term airflow blockage, most often linked to smoking)
• Pulmonary fibrosis (scarring inside the lungs that makes them stiff)
• Sarcoidosis (a condition where small clumps of inflamed cells form in the lungs)
• Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs)

A PFT is a safe, non-invasive test and carries almost no risk for most people. The breathing manoeuvres do require real effort, and a small number of patients experience temporary discomfort.

• Lightheadedness or dizziness from repeated forced breathing efforts, which passes quickly with rest
• Temporary shortness of breath or chest tightness, particularly in people with severe lung disease
• Coughing fits triggered by the deep breathing required
• Very rarely, a bronchospasm (sudden tightening of the airway muscles) in people with poorly controlled asthma
• Fainting is uncommon but can occur in patients who strain very hard during the test

Preparing well makes the results more reliable. Most clinics ask you to avoid heavy meals for at least two hours before the test, since a full stomach can limit how deeply your lungs expand. You should also avoid smoking, caffeine, and strenuous exercise on the day of the test.

Some inhaled medications, such as bronchodilators (medicines that open the airways), may be paused for a few hours before the test if your doctor wants to see your lungs' baseline function. Never stop any medication without being told to do so by your doctor.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing so nothing restricts your chest or abdomen when you breathe. Dentures that are unstable should be removed before the test. No special blood tests or imaging are needed beforehand.

The test itself typically follows these steps:

• You sit upright in a chair, and a nose clip is placed over your nostrils to ensure all airflow goes through the mouthpiece.
• A technician explains each breathing task before you do it, such as breathing normally, inhaling as deeply as possible, then blasting the air out as fast and fully as you can.

Recovery after a PFT is almost immediate. Most patients feel completely normal within a few minutes of finishing and can go home or back to work straight away. No wound care, no fasting period, and no special monitoring is required.

• If you felt dizzy or short of breath during the test, sit and rest in the clinic until you feel fully recovered before leaving.
• Resume any inhaled or other medications that were paused for the test, as your doctor instructs.
• The technician does not usually interpret results on the spot. A respiratory physician (a lung specialist) will review the data and share findings with you, typically within a few days.
• Depending on the results, your doctor may schedule follow-up tests, imaging such as a chest X-ray or CT scan, or a referral to a specialist.
• If a lung condition is confirmed, regular repeat PFTs every few months to a year are common to track how the disease or treatment is progressing.

The price of a Pulmonary Function Test varies considerably depending on which specific tests are included in the panel, the type of facility where it is done, and the country. A basic spirometry test is at the simpler and more affordable end, while a full PFT panel that includes body plethysmography and a gas transfer test costs significantly more.

• Complexity of the panel: spirometry alone versus a full battery including lung volumes, gas transfer, and bronchodilator response testing
• Hospital class: a private international hospital charges more than a public hospital or a dedicated respiratory clinic
• Country where the test is performed: prices differ substantially between Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and other destinations
• Specialist consultation fee: whether the respiratory physician's interpretation is bundled into the test price or billed separately
• Additional tests ordered on the same day, such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, or arterial blood gas (a blood test measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels)