Concerns About Recent Lung Test Results and Possible Asthma Diagnosis - #28711
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 đ© 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 weekHave you noticed any specific triggers for your wheezing or breathing issues?:
- No specific triggersWhat is your current level of physical activity?:
- Very active, regular intense exercise100% Anonymously
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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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