Suspected asthma
Bulk billedSuspected asthma
Bulk billedConfirming a diagnosis rather than treating on symptoms alone, including reversibility testing.
Book online →Spirometry, measured properly.
Breathlessness is easy to dismiss and hard to measure by eye. Spirometry puts a number on how much air you can move and how fast, which is how asthma and COPD are diagnosed and tracked.
Three ways to book: HotDoc · online · or by phone.
Numbers instead of guesswork.
You cannot manage a lung condition well without knowing what the lungs are actually doing.
Spirometry measures how much air you can breathe out and how quickly. You take the deepest breath you can and blow into a mouthpiece as hard and as long as possible, usually three times, and the machine records the volume and flow.
What the test is used for
Diagnosing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, distinguishing between them, measuring how severe an established condition is, checking whether a treatment is working, monitoring occupational lung exposure, and assessing an unexplained chronic cough or breathlessness.
Good to know
A normal spirometry result does not always exclude asthma, because asthma varies over time. Your GP interprets the numbers alongside your symptoms and history.
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The two key measurements
FEV1 is the volume you can force out in the first second. FVC is the total volume you can force out. The ratio between them is what separates obstructive disease, such as asthma and COPD, from restrictive patterns. Results are compared against predicted values for your age, height, sex and background.
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Reversibility testing
Often the test is repeated about fifteen minutes after a reliever inhaler. A significant improvement points strongly toward asthma; little or no change suggests fixed obstruction such as COPD. Allow around forty minutes for the appointment when reversibility is being assessed.
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How to prepare
Avoid your reliever inhaler for four hours and long-acting preventers for twelve to twenty-four hours if your doctor has asked you to, but never stop a medicine without being told to. Avoid a heavy meal, vigorous exercise and smoking beforehand, and wear clothing that does not restrict your chest.
When spirometry is useful.
Situations where measuring lung function changes the plan.
Tap to learn more
Suspected COPD
Bulk billedSuspected COPD
Bulk billedDiagnosing and staging chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, especially in current or ex-smokers.
Book online →Chronic cough
Bulk billedChronic cough
Bulk billedInvestigating a cough that has lasted more than eight weeks alongside other tests.
Book online →Breathlessness
Bulk billedBreathlessness
Bulk billedWorking out whether shortness of breath on exertion is coming from the lungs or elsewhere.
Book online →Monitoring treatment
Bulk billedMonitoring treatment
Bulk billedMeasuring whether a preventer inhaler or a change in dose has actually made a difference.
Book online →Occupational exposure
Bulk billedOccupational exposure
Bulk billedBaseline and follow-up testing for people working with dust, fumes or chemicals.
Book online →What to expect.
What the appointment involves.
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PreparationFollow the inhaler instructions your GP gives you, avoid a heavy meal and smoking beforehand, and wear loose clothing.
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The testA nose clip and mouthpiece, then the deepest breath you can and a hard, long blow out — usually repeated three times.
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Reversibility if neededA reliever inhaler, fifteen minutes' wait, then the test again to see how much the numbers change.
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Results and planYour GP explains the numbers against predicted values and adjusts treatment or arranges an asthma action plan.
Bring with youMedicare cardAll your inhalers, including spacersA note of when you last used a relieverPrevious lung function results
Who you'll see.
Dr Hossain leads chronic respiratory care at this practice.
Focuses on this area
General Practitioner
Dr Mohammed HossainMBBS, FRACGP, Diploma in Dermatology
Chronic and complex conditions, heart, gut and kidney health, weight management.
Available Mon · Wed
Focuses on this area
General Practitioner · Medical Director
Dr Mustafa HafizMChD, FRACGP
Skin cancer checks and minor procedures, men's health, mental health and family medicine.
Available Mon · Tue · Wed · Fri · Sun
Focuses on this area
General Practitioner
Dr Zainab ShiraziDiploma in Dermatology
Women's health, children's health and skin conditions.
Available Mon · Tue · Wed · Fri · Sat
General Practitioner
Dr Robert ReidMBBS · In general practice since 1980
Mental health, chronic illness, disability care and general family medicine.
Available Ask reception
Fees and bulk billing.
Spirometry is bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card when clinically indicated.
Full fee guide
100% bulk billing clinic
Standard GP consultations at Toongabbie Doctors are bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card, so there is no out-of-pocket cost to see your doctor.
The test and the consultation to interpret it are bulk billed for eligible patients.
Asthma and COPD are chronic conditions that may qualify for a GP Management Plan, bringing in allied health support.
Complex or borderline results may be referred to a respiratory laboratory for full lung function testing.
Common questions.
Questions about lung function testing.
It is hard work rather than painful. Blowing out as hard as you can several times leaves some people briefly lightheaded or coughing. You rest between attempts.
Only if your GP has specifically asked you to, and never stop a preventer on your own. Bring all your inhalers with you to the appointment.
About fifteen minutes for a straightforward test, and around forty minutes if reversibility testing with a reliever is being done.
Usually from about six years of age, once a child can follow the instructions reliably. Younger children are assessed differently.
Not necessarily. Asthma varies, and lung function can be normal between episodes. Your GP interprets the result together with your symptoms and history.
Related services.
ECG, Spirometry and PathologyHeart tracing, lung function and blood tests on site.Learn more →Chronic Disease Management and Care PlansDiabetes, heart, lung and kidney care with structured plans.Learn more →Immunisation and Travel HealthChildhood, adult, flu and travel vaccinations.Learn more →Results and Follow-UpGetting your test results explained and agreeing the next step.Learn more →
Breathless, wheezy or coughing?
Book a bulk billed appointment and have your lung function measured rather than estimated.
Three ways to book: HotDoc · online · or by phone on (02) 7813 6000.
Toongabbie Doctors · Shop 1, Toongabbie Point
Monday to Friday8:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday8:00am - 1:00pm
SundayClosed
ParkingFree via Cox Lane