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Concerns About Recent Lung Test Results and Possible Asthma Diagnosis
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Lung & Breathing Conditions
Question #28711
91 days ago
196

Concerns About Recent Lung Test Results and Possible Asthma Diagnosis

Client_1b669b

Hi, I'm a 21 years old male from Finland. 170cm/76kg. I went through a 3-year control in my workplace healthcare a few weeks ago, which included a spirometry test. The test pointed out a 10% bhroncodilator response which I didn't have three years ago (during winter 2022). FEV1 4.49/Z 0.46, FVC 5.78/Z 1.35, VC 5.86/ Z1.51, FEV1/VC 0.77/Z -1.26, PEF-0.77z. FEV1 +0.46/10% My doctor made me do a PEF monitoring for two weeks. They also checked my blood values and found no problems there with eosinophiles etc. For a few days I've been doing it and the values have been between 600-660l where 620l is the most common result I get. There is no variation between morning and evening values, but medication might rise the value by +20-40l. Sometimes the values before and after medication are the same, though. The doctor heard some wheezing during mid-end forced expiration as they listened to my lugn sounds. He wrote that it might also come from larynx instead of lugns. I've also gone through a maximal bicycle ergometry test as it is required. The values were 3,55l/min and 46,6ml/min/kg which is a good result in my opinion. I've never had any symptoms. Smoke inhalation, dusts, cold air etc. or combination of those never cause me any abnormal feelings. I can do high intensity excercises such as running in the cold with no symptoms. During summertime (june-july) I have pollen allergy which also appears occasionally in the spring. With antihistamine pills I get rid of the symptoms (mainly runny nose with clear mucus and itchy ears, some sneezing also). I went to conscription (military) from july-2024 to june-2025 and I had to sleep in a barracks with bad indoor air. They had pointed out some rised percentages of mineral wool dust. I believe there are more problems, though, as everyone there had a "constant" flu and I had to blow my nose every morning after I woke up. My nose also dried so bad I had to use moisturising drops every day to avoid nose bleeds. After getting home, all of these symptoms got away. I'm stressed out as I have to wait two weeks to see a pulmonologist and the asthma diagnosis might rule me out of certain job tasks. Two weeks is a long time 😩 What do you think? Could it just be the allergy or something from the military that goes off?

How long have you been experiencing any respiratory symptoms?:

- Less than 1 week

Have you noticed any specific triggers for your wheezing or breathing issues?:

- No specific triggers

What is your current level of physical activity?:

- Very active, regular intense exercise
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Doctors' responses

Based on your detailed history, normal lung function values, excellent exercise capacity, lack of symptoms, and minimal variability in peak flow readings, the findings so far do not strongly support a diagnosis of active asthma, despite the 10% bronchodilator response, which can sometimes be seen in normal individuals, mild airway sensitivity, or in the context of allergies; your history of seasonal pollen allergy and prior exposure to poor indoor air during military service could have caused temporary airway irritation or mild hyperreactivity, which may now be settling, especially since you are currently asymptomatic and physically fit, and the absence of typical asthma symptoms (such as wheezing, breathlessness, or exercise limitation) is reassuring, so while further evaluation by a pulmonologist is appropriate to confirm, your overall picture suggests a low likelihood of clinically significant asthma, and this may instead represent a transient or benign finding rather than a condition that would impact your long-term health or career.

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Hello dear See as per clinical history it seems normal exertion only only causing respiratory issues Test report are normal I suggest you to please do physical exercise like Alom vilom Surya namaskar Clamps Brisk walking Good diet Avoiding dust and pollen In addition get following up with pulmonary surgeon for better clarity Regards

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Your concern about asthma is understandable, given the spirometry results and changes noted in the recent tests. While a 10% bronchodilator response can suggest reactive airways, it in itself doesn’t confirm asthma, especially if you haven’t experienced typical asthma symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness during activities or exposures that commonly trigger asthma symptoms. Your peak expiratory flow (PEF) readings indicate good lung function, particularly as they don’t vary significantly between morning and evening. This is notable, since asthma often causes more significant variations. The observed wheezing could be misleading too, possibly originating from the larynx, as mentioned by your doctor, which could be related to environmental irritants like mineral wool dust you mentioned in the military barracks. The fact that your symptoms resolved after leaving that environment is reassuring but doesn’t entirely exclude asthma or reactive airway issues. Allergies, especially seasonal pollen allergies, might play a role, potentially contributing to airway reactivity, but it seems antihistamines effectively manage your symptoms, primarily affecting the upper airways rather than respiratory function. Given these factors, waiting to see the pulmonologist for a comprehensive evaluation is wise. They may consider a full asthma assessment, which might include additional tests like a methacholine challenge or further allergy testing, to ascertain the degree of airway hyperresponsiveness. Meanwhile, document any exposure-related symptoms you may notice, and continue monitoring your peak flow as instructed by your healthcare provider. While waiting, avoid known irritants like smoke or harsh dust exposure, and manage allergies carefully to prevent confounding factors. Staying physically active is generally beneficial, but be attentive to any new symptoms during exertion. The evaluation by a pulmonologist will provide a clearer picture regarding any necessary work or lifestyle adaptations.

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