PFT Test in Ahmedabad
Measuring How Well Your Lungs Are Working at EPIC Hospital
Most investigations in medicine produce images or numbers from a blood sample. A PFT test in Ahmedabad – Pulmonary Function Test – does something different. It measures how your lungs actually function as living organs: how much air they can hold, how quickly they can move air in and out, and how efficiently they transfer oxygen from the air you breathe into the blood that carries it to your heart and brain.
These measurements sit at the heart of respiratory medicine. A chest X-ray can show structural abnormalities. A CT scan can detail anatomy. But neither tells a pulmonologist whether the lungs are obstructed, restricted, or physiologically impaired – only a PFT does that. At EPIC Multispecialty Hospital, our PFT lab in Ahmedabad provides the full range of pulmonary function assessments, performed by trained respiratory physiologists using calibrated equipment.
Types of PFT Available at EPIC Hospital, Ahmedabad
Spirometry
Spirometry is the most fundamental and most commonly performed PFT. The patient takes a maximal breath in and blows out as hard and fast as possible into the spirometer. The key measurements are FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second) – the amount of air expelled in the first second – and FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) – the total air expelled. The FEV1/FVC ratio distinguishes obstructive (COPD, asthma) from restrictive (ILD, chest wall disease) patterns.
Bronchodilator Reversibility Testing
A standard spirometry is repeated 15 to 20 minutes after the patient inhales a short-acting bronchodilator (salbutamol). Significant reversibility – FEV1 improvement of ≥12% and ≥200mL – supports a diagnosis of asthma. Incomplete reversibility confirms COPD. This is one of the most clinically important components of any respiratory evaluation.
Full Lung Volume Measurement
Standard spirometry cannot measure certain lung volumes – particularly the air that remains in the lungs after maximum exhalation (Residual Volume, RV) and the total capacity of the lungs (Total Lung Capacity, TLC). These require either body plethysmography (body box) or gas dilution techniques (helium dilution or nitrogen washout). Full volumes are essential for diagnosing and quantifying restrictive lung disease and hyperinflation in COPD.
DLCO (Diffusing Capacity)
The DLCO (Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide) measures how efficiently the lung transfers gas from the air into the bloodstream across the alveolar-capillary membrane. It is specifically reduced in interstitial lung disease, emphysema, and pulmonary vascular disease. A reduced DLCO in a patient with normal spirometry often reveals the extent of lung damage that airflow measurements have missed.
When Is a PFT Test Ordered at EPIC Hospital, Ahmedabad?
- Diagnosis and staging of COPD – the single most important investigation before any COPD treatment decision. See COPD treatment in Ahmedabad
- Diagnosis and severity assessment of asthma – confirming the diagnosis with spirometry plus bronchodilator reversibility
- Diagnosis and monitoring of interstitial lung disease (ILD) – both for initial severity grading and for tracking progression or treatment response
- Pre-operative assessment – before thoracic surgery, cardiac surgery, or major abdominal surgery – establishing baseline lung function and surgical risk
- Occupational lung disease assessment – quantifying the functional impairment from workplace exposures for medico-legal and insurance purposes
- Monitoring response to treatment – tracking improvement or deterioration in COPD, asthma, ILD, or pulmonary hypertension over time
Know Your Signs
Persistent or Worsening Cough
Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)
Wheezing or Noisy Breathing
Loud Snoring or Sleep Apnea
Chest Pain or Discomfort
Frequent Lung Infections
Emergency Services
Our dedicated emergency team is available 24/7 to provide immediate medical care and support in critical situations.
Get In Touch
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Find Best Pulmonology Hospital in Ahmedabad
Therapeutic Bronchoscope (Olympus) for airway stenting, tumor debulking, foreign body removal
Endobronchial Ultrasound (Linear EBUS) (Olympus) for mediastinal pathology assessment.
Bronchoscopic Cryotherapy (ERBE Cryo 2) for airway tumors & lung cryobiopsy
IPC (Indwelling pleural catheter) Insertion
Flexi-rigid thoracoscope (Olympus) for Pleuroscopy
Single-Use flexible bronchoscopes (Pentax) for routine diagnostics like lavage & bronchial biopsy
Our Team of Expert Pulmonologist
Talks By Our Expert Pulmonology Doctors
Treatment for Pulmonary Issues – Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
Treatment of Pulmonary Issues – Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
EBUS Procedure by Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
Our Patient Testimonial Pulmonology
EBUS Procedure by Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
Treatment of Pulmonary Issues – Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
Treatment for Pulmonary Issues – Dr. Jaykumar Mehta
Blogs By Our Expert Pulmonology
PFT Test in Ahmedabad - Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a PFT test take at EPIC Hospital in Ahmedabad?
A standard spirometry with bronchodilator reversibility takes 30 to 45 minutes. Full lung volumes and DLCO add another 30 to 45 minutes. A complete PFT including all components takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. The test requires patient cooperation and effort – our trained respiratory physiologist guides you through every manoeuvre.
How do I prepare for a PFT test?
Do not use your short-acting bronchodilator inhaler (e.g. salbutamol) for 4 to 6 hours before the test, and do not use long-acting bronchodilators for 12 to 24 hours before (as instructed by your doctor). Avoid smoking for at least 4 hours before. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Do not eat a heavy meal immediately before. Bring your inhaler list with you. Patients who are unwell with an active chest infection should postpone the test until recovered.
Can the PFT test diagnose asthma or COPD on its own?
The PFT provides objective evidence of airflow obstruction or restriction – but diagnosis also requires clinical assessment. A reduced FEV1/FVC ratio confirms obstruction but does not by itself distinguish asthma from COPD. The bronchodilator response, clinical history, age, smoking history, and symptom pattern together determine the diagnosis.
What does a normal PFT result mean if I still have symptoms?
A normal PFT does not mean your respiratory symptoms are imaginary or insignificant. Several important conditions – early ILD, pulmonary vascular disease, exercise-induced asthma – can present with symptoms before resting PFTs become abnormal. An exercise 6-minute walk test, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), or further imaging may be the next appropriate investigation.
Is PFT testing safe for elderly or very breathless patients?
PFT testing is non-invasive and safe. There is no radiation, no injection, and no cut. The maximum effort required is blowing out as hard as possible – which is well-tolerated by most patients. Very breathless patients may not be able to complete all components, but even a partial study provides useful information.
How often should PFT tests be repeated?
For COPD, spirometry is typically repeated annually to track disease progression. For ILD, full PFTs including DLCO are performed every 3 to 6 months to monitor for progression or treatment response. For asthma, repeat PFT is performed when there is a change in symptoms or treatment.
What related respiratory services are available alongside PFT testing at EPIC Hospital?
Our pulmonology programme includes the pulmonologist in Ahmedabad, COPD treatment in Ahmedabad, allergy and asthma specialist in Ahmedabad, and the best pulmonology hospital in Ahmedabad Gujarat.
Is PFT testing covered by health insurance in Ahmedabad?
PFT testing is covered by most major health insurance plans – particularly when ordered as part of the investigation of a confirmed or suspected respiratory diagnosis. Our patient services team will confirm your specific coverage. For pre-operative PFT, insurance coverage depends on the nature of the planned surgery and your policy terms.