DLCO Test in Delhi | Lung Diffusion Capacity Specialist

DLCO

DLCO is a lung test that measures how well your lungs transfer gases like oxygen from the air sacs into the blood. It does this by using a tiny amount of carbon monoxide (CO) as a test gas.

Lung Volume Testing

It helps to measure the total amount of air your lungs can hold, including the air that stays in the lungs after you exhale (residual volume). It’s more detailed than spirometry and shows how much space your lungs really have.

Why is DLCO Performed?

DLCO helps detect and monitor lung diseases that affect the alveolar-capillary membrane the part of the lung where oxygen enters the blood.

It is useful for:

Diagnosing Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) or lung fibrosis
Evaluating emphysema and differentiating it from other COPD types
Detecting pulmonary hypertension
Monitoring autoimmune or drug-induced lung problems

Why is Lung Volume Testing Performed?

To evaluate how well your lungs are working.

It helps in diagnosing:

Restrictive lung diseases like fibrosis or scoliosis
Obstructive diseases like asthma, COPD
Conditions with air trapping or hyperinflation

Obesity or neuromuscular weakness affecting breathing

Symptoms of DLCO

Unexplained shortness of breath
Chronic cough
Worsening oxygen levels or desaturation on exertion
Abnormal chest X-ray or CT scan
Evaluation of known lung disease

Symptoms of Lung Volumes

Shortness of breath
Fatigue with exertion
Reduced exercise capacity
Abnormal findings on spirometry or imaging
Diagnosed lung diseases that need monitoring

How to prepare for the test? (DLCO)

Avoid smoking on the day of the test
Do not consume caffeine or heavy meals before testing
Inform your doctor if you have anemia or recently had lung bleeding
Wear comfortable clothes and avoid tight-fitting tops

How to prepare for the test? (Lung Volumes)

You should avoid heavy meals before the test.
You shouldn’t smoke or use bronchodilators unless told otherwise.
Wear loose-fitting clothes.

How the Test is done? (DLCO)

You’ll be asked to breathe through a mouthpiece while wearing a nose clip.
Then you have to inhale a special gas mixture including a small amount of carbon monoxide.
Then hold your breath for 10 seconds and exhale then the machine analyzes how much gas was absorbed.
It takes total 5–10 minutes for this procedure.

How the Test is done? (Lung Volumes)

You’ll have to sit in a glass cabin and breathe into a mouthpiece.
Then you’ll have to follow the commands to breathe normally, then deeply, and then hold breath.
The machine tracks changes in pressure and flow to calculate lung volumes.
It is non-invasive and takes about 15–20 minutes.

What It Measures (DLCO)

DLCO value represents the amount of carbon monoxide transferred into the blood.
Transfer efficiency of the gases.
Helps to assess the alveolar damage, blood flow, or anemia effects.

What It Measures? (Lung Volumes)

TLC (Total Lung Capacity): The maximum air lungs can hold.
RV (Residual Volume): Amount of air left after full exhalation.
FRC (Functional Residual Capacity): Amount of air left after normal exhalation.
VC (Vital Capacity): Maximum air exhaled after full inhalation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it safe to inhale carbon monoxide?

Yes. The amount used is extremely small and harmless.

2. Will anemia affect my result?

Yes. Anemia reduces hemoglobin, which can falsely lower DLCO readings.

3. What does a low DLCO mean?

It could indicate diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, or chronic blood loss.

4. Can DLCO improve after treatment?

Yes, in some conditions (e.g., asthma or inflammation), treatment can improve your DLCO score.

5. Is the test uncomfortable?

It’s painless. Some people feel slightly confined, but the procedure is short.

6. What does high lung volume mean?

May indicate air trapping or hyperinflation, common in COPD and asthma.

7. What does low lung volume mean?

Suggests restricted lungs due to fibrosis, scoliosis, or weak muscles.

8. Do I need a prescription for this test?

Yes. A doctor usually recommends this test based on your symptoms or spirometry findings.

DLCO and Lung Volumes