Full Lung Function - Bulk Billed
Full Lung function involves 3 separate elements.
Spirometry
DLCO - Diffusion Capacity for Carbon Monoxide
Lung Volumes - Body Plethysmography
Spirometry Testing
Spirometry is one of the most important lung function tests we perform at ERSA. It measures how well your lungs are working by testing how much air you can breathe out, and how quickly you can exhale. This test helps us diagnose and monitor conditions like asthma, COPD, and other respiratory disorders.
How Spirometry Works
The test is simple and non-invasive — you’ll be asked to take a deep breath in and then blow out as hard and fast as you can into a mouthpiece connected to a specialised machine. You may repeat this a few times to ensure we get the most accurate result. The test usually takes 15-30 minutes.
What Spirometry Can Help With
Diagnosing asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions
Monitoring how well your lungs respond to treatment
Checking for changes in your lung function over time
Whether you’re experiencing persistent cough, breathlessness, or wheezing, or you need to check how well your medications are working, spirometry provides critical insights into your lung health.
Preparing for Your Spirometry Test
To get the best possible results, please follow these simple steps before your test:
✅ Avoid smoking or vaping for at least 1 hour before your appointment.
✅ Avoid heavy meals right before the test.
✅ Wear loose, comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your breathing.
✅ If you use inhalers regularly, check with our staff when booking to see if you should pause your medication before the test.
DLCO Testing (Diffusing Capacity for Carbon Monoxide)
What is DLCO Testing?
The DLCO test measures how effectively your lungs can transfer oxygen from the air into your bloodstream. It specifically looks at how well your lungs diffuse gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, which is important for conditions that affect the gas exchange process.
What does the test involve?
During the test, you’ll be asked to inhale a small amount of carbon monoxide (which is harmless at low levels) and hold your breath for a few seconds. After that, you’ll exhale, and we’ll measure how much carbon monoxide is absorbed by your lungs. The entire process usually takes around 10-15 minutes.
What can DLCO Testing help with?
DLCO testing is particularly useful for diagnosing or monitoring:
Interstitial lung diseases (such as pulmonary fibrosis)
Emphysema and COPD
Pulmonary hypertension
Breathlessness or unexplained low oxygen levels
This test helps us understand how well your lungs are exchanging gases, giving us insight into conditions that affect the lung tissue itself.
How to Prepare for Your Test
✅ Avoid smoking or vaping for at least 1 hour before your test
✅ Refrain from eating or drinking for 1 hour before your appointment
✅ Wear loose, comfortable clothing
✅ Check with our staff when booking if you’re using any respiratory medications, especially inhalers
Gain Clarity on Your Lung Health
If you’ve been feeling breathless or have lung symptoms that don’t seem to improve, DLCO testing is an essential tool to understand the underlying causes.
Lung Volumes (Plethysmography)
What is Lung Volume Testing?
Lung volume testing, also called plethysmography, is a specialised lung function test that measures how much air your lungs can hold and how much air remains after you breathe out fully. This gives us important information about how well your lungs are expanding and functioning.
What does the test involve?
You’ll sit in a clear, airtight booth (which looks a bit like a phone booth) and follow simple breathing instructions — including breathing normally, taking deep breaths, and briefly holding your breath. The test usually takes around 20 minutes.
What can Lung Volume Testing help with?
This test is particularly useful for diagnosing and monitoring:
Restrictive lung diseases (like pulmonary fibrosis or scarring)
Obstructive lung diseases (like asthma or COPD)
Unexplained breathlessness
Lung volumes give us a deeper look at your lung function beyond what spirometry can show.
How to Prepare for Your Test
✅ Avoid smoking or vaping for at least 1 hour beforehand
✅ Avoid heavy meals right before your test
✅ Wear loose, comfortable clothing
✅ If you use inhalers or other respiratory medications, check with our staff when booking to see if you need to pause them before the test
Take Control of Your Lung Health
If you’ve been experiencing ongoing breathlessness, or your doctor needs a detailed picture of your lung function, this test can provide essential insights.
Ask your GP for a referral or contact our team directly to book your full lung function test today.
Full Lung function involves 3 separate elements.
Spirometry
DLCO - Diffusion Capacity for Carbon Monoxide
Lung Volumes - Body Plethysmography
Spirometry Testing
Spirometry is one of the most important lung function tests we perform at ERSA. It measures how well your lungs are working by testing how much air you can breathe out, and how quickly you can exhale. This test helps us diagnose and monitor conditions like asthma, COPD, and other respiratory disorders.
How Spirometry Works
The test is simple and non-invasive — you’ll be asked to take a deep breath in and then blow out as hard and fast as you can into a mouthpiece connected to a specialised machine. You may repeat this a few times to ensure we get the most accurate result. The test usually takes 15-30 minutes.
What Spirometry Can Help With
Diagnosing asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions
Monitoring how well your lungs respond to treatment
Checking for changes in your lung function over time
Whether you’re experiencing persistent cough, breathlessness, or wheezing, or you need to check how well your medications are working, spirometry provides critical insights into your lung health.
Preparing for Your Spirometry Test
To get the best possible results, please follow these simple steps before your test:
✅ Avoid smoking or vaping for at least 1 hour before your appointment.
✅ Avoid heavy meals right before the test.
✅ Wear loose, comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your breathing.
✅ If you use inhalers regularly, check with our staff when booking to see if you should pause your medication before the test.
DLCO Testing (Diffusing Capacity for Carbon Monoxide)
What is DLCO Testing?
The DLCO test measures how effectively your lungs can transfer oxygen from the air into your bloodstream. It specifically looks at how well your lungs diffuse gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, which is important for conditions that affect the gas exchange process.
What does the test involve?
During the test, you’ll be asked to inhale a small amount of carbon monoxide (which is harmless at low levels) and hold your breath for a few seconds. After that, you’ll exhale, and we’ll measure how much carbon monoxide is absorbed by your lungs. The entire process usually takes around 10-15 minutes.
What can DLCO Testing help with?
DLCO testing is particularly useful for diagnosing or monitoring:
Interstitial lung diseases (such as pulmonary fibrosis)
Emphysema and COPD
Pulmonary hypertension
Breathlessness or unexplained low oxygen levels
This test helps us understand how well your lungs are exchanging gases, giving us insight into conditions that affect the lung tissue itself.
How to Prepare for Your Test
✅ Avoid smoking or vaping for at least 1 hour before your test
✅ Refrain from eating or drinking for 1 hour before your appointment
✅ Wear loose, comfortable clothing
✅ Check with our staff when booking if you’re using any respiratory medications, especially inhalers
Gain Clarity on Your Lung Health
If you’ve been feeling breathless or have lung symptoms that don’t seem to improve, DLCO testing is an essential tool to understand the underlying causes.
Lung Volumes (Plethysmography)
What is Lung Volume Testing?
Lung volume testing, also called plethysmography, is a specialised lung function test that measures how much air your lungs can hold and how much air remains after you breathe out fully. This gives us important information about how well your lungs are expanding and functioning.
What does the test involve?
You’ll sit in a clear, airtight booth (which looks a bit like a phone booth) and follow simple breathing instructions — including breathing normally, taking deep breaths, and briefly holding your breath. The test usually takes around 20 minutes.
What can Lung Volume Testing help with?
This test is particularly useful for diagnosing and monitoring:
Restrictive lung diseases (like pulmonary fibrosis or scarring)
Obstructive lung diseases (like asthma or COPD)
Unexplained breathlessness
Lung volumes give us a deeper look at your lung function beyond what spirometry can show.
How to Prepare for Your Test
✅ Avoid smoking or vaping for at least 1 hour beforehand
✅ Avoid heavy meals right before your test
✅ Wear loose, comfortable clothing
✅ If you use inhalers or other respiratory medications, check with our staff when booking to see if you need to pause them before the test
Take Control of Your Lung Health
If you’ve been experiencing ongoing breathlessness, or your doctor needs a detailed picture of your lung function, this test can provide essential insights.
Ask your GP for a referral or contact our team directly to book your full lung function test today.
