The Kingston Lung Clinic
At The Kingston Lung Clinic, we provide advanced lung function testing to assess how well your lungs are working. These tests help diagnose and monitor a range of respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and more.
Our clinic is equipped with a state-of-the-art Vitalograph Body Plethysmograph, one of the newest models available, installed in 2025. This allows us to deliver accurate, reliable results in a comfortable and supportive setting.
About Us
Dan Jones
Sleep and Respiratory Physiologist
TBC
What Is Lung Function Testing?
Lung Function tests (also called Pulmonary Function Tests or PFTs) are a group of non-invasive tests that measure different aspects of how your lungs work. We test the size of your lungs, the size of your airways and the efficiency of the lungs.
Your testing may include some or all of the following:
FeNO (Fraction Exhaled Nitric Oxide)
This test takes a sample of your breath and lets us see how inflamed your airways are. This is an excellent test to diagnose or rule out an asthmatic component.
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Why it matters
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This test measures the amount of Nitric Oxide in the airways – the higher the number, the more inflammation there is. This is an excellent test to diagnose eosinophilic asthma.
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What happens
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You will be asked to blow into a handheld device steadily for 6-10 seconds.
Spirometry
Spirometry is one of the most common and important Lung Function tests. It measures both the size of the lungs and the size of the airways.
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Why it matters
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This lets us test to see if there are any signs of obstruction or restriction, key factors in diagnosing or ruling out asthma, COPD or other common lung issues.
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What happens
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You will be asked to take a deep breath and blow out forcefully into a mouthpiece connected to a machine. It is quick, simple, and completely safe.
Gas Transfer Testing (TLCO or DLCO)
Gas Transfer testing measures how well oxygen is delivered into the blood from your lungs.
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Why it matters
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This test is especially useful in evaluating conditions that affect the lung tissue, such as pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, or pulmonary hypertension.
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What happens
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You will be asked to inhale a harmless gas mixture, hold your breath for a few seconds, and then exhale. The test analyses how much gas your lungs absorbed.
Static Lung Volumes (Body Plethysmography)
Static lung volumes measure the size of your lungs more accurately than other tests. This allows us to see your total lung capacity, consisting of your vital capacity and residual volume (the amount of gas left in the lungs when you have exhaled fully).
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Why it matters
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It helps distinguish between different types of lung problems – whether your lungs are restricted (as in fibrosis) or if there are any signs of hyperinflation or gas trapping (COPD/Asthma).
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What happens
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You will sit in an enclosed booth similar to a glass cabin and breathe through a mouthpiece while we record pressure and volume changes. The test is safe and comfortable, and the booth is transparent to avoid feelings of claustrophobia. There is also a button inside that can open the door if you are feeling uncomfortable.
Reversibility Testing
Reversibility testing looks at how your airways respond to inhalers – usually the blue inhaler Salbutamol/Ventolin.
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Why it matters
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This test helps differentiate between Asthma and COPD, and determines how much your airway obstruction can improve with treatment. This will also help your doctor assess how well your current inhalers are working, and whether an inhaler review is required.
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What happens
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We will perform a baseline Spirometry test and then give you a bronchodilator to inhale (usually salbutamol). After 15 minutes, we repeat the Spirometry to see if there’s a change in your airways.
What to Expect
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Duration: Most lung function testing takes 45–60 minutes.
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Preparation: Avoid smoking, caffeine, and strenuous exercise for a few hours before your appointment. If possible, avoid using inhalers beforehand unless needed to complete the test.
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Comfort: We take extra time to guide you through each test, and our physiologists provide clear coaching throughout.
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Afterwards: You can resume normal activities immediately.
Results
​Your results will be reported on the same day as your visit and will be sent to your consultant approximately 30 minutes after the appointment.