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Lung diffusion testing - Results

Alternative Names

Diffusing capacity; DLCO test

Normal Values:

Normal test results depend on a person's:

Age
Gender
Height
Hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) level

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal results usually mean that gases do not move normally across the lung tissues into the blood vessels of the lung. This may be due to lung diseases such as:

Lung diffusion testing

Reviewed last on: 9/13/2008
Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Reynolds, HY. Respiratory Structure and Function: Mechanisms and Testing. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 85.

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