What is Spirometry?

Spirometry is a common lung function test that measures how much air you can breathe in and out, and how quickly you can exhale to assess how well your lungs are working. It specifically measures the amount of air you can forcefully exhale after taking a deep breath.

Spirometry

What’s it used for

Doctors use spirometry to:

Diagnose lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis

Monitor lung function over time

Evaluate how well treatments are working

Symptoms that may require testing

Shortness of breath (especially on exertion)

Chronic cough (lasting weeks or months)

Wheezing or noisy breathing

Chest tightness

Frequent respiratory infections

Fatigue related to breathing difficulty

Why Choose Chequers Health

Consultant Led Care

Fast and Effective Services

Modern and Comfortable Setting with Ample Parking

Patients from Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Wigan and the Northwest choose Chequers Health for professional Spirometry

Our Treatment Process

Consultant-Led Care, Guided by Best Clinical Practice

Self-Referral & Booking

Patients can self-refer online or by phone, choosing either self-pay or insurance to schedule their lung function test.

Test Appointment

The lung function test is carried out by a qualified respiratory physiologist and takes about 30–45 minutes to complete.

Report & Consultant Review

Results are analysed and reviewed by a respiratory consultant, who provides a detailed report and recommendations.

Affordable Lung Function Tests

Self-Pay Prices

Full Lung Function Test £250

Spirometry £145

Feno £60

 Bronchodilator £100

Contact Us for More Information

If you are interested in learning more about how Lung Function Tests can improve your health or would like to inquire about other services, please don’t hesitate to contact us:

They are truly the best among all the centres offering a range of services, including intravenous iron infusions. The staff were exceptionally kind, professional, and genuinely caring — I felt completely comfortable and well looked after throughout my visit.

Marwa A

Our Consultants

Julie Chadwick
Julie Chadwick
Julie Chadwick is the Manager of the Respiratory Diagnostics Department at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. In simple terms, she leads and oversees all aspects of the Respiratory Diagnostic Services, ensuring high-quality, safe, and effective care for patients with respiratory conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Comprehensive Lung Health Assessment is a series of tests designed to evaluate how well your lungs are working. It helps detect early signs of lung disease, monitor existing conditions, and assess overall respiratory health, even if you’re not currently experiencing symptoms.

A specialist lung assessment provides valuable insights into both current lung function and future health risks.
It can:

  • Detect lung conditions before symptoms appear
  • Identify tumours or nodules in the lungs
  • Detect respiratory illnesses such as infections or emphysema
  • Evaluate the impact of previous illnesses, including COVID-19, on lung performance

Early detection allows for timely and more effective treatment.

The core test is spirometry which is a simple breathing test that measures how much air you can breathe in and out, and how quickly.
It helps identify airflow obstruction and detect early signs of conditions such as asthma, COPD, or occupational lung disease.

In addition to our standard assessments, we offer a range of specialised lung function tests to provide a full understanding of your respiratory health:

Spirometry Test – Measures how much air you can breathe in and out, and how quickly, helping to detect conditions such as asthma, COPD, and other airflow limitations.

FeNO Test (Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide) – A simple, non-invasive test that measures inflammation in the airways. It’s particularly useful for diagnosing and managing asthma and assessing how well your treatment is working.

Bronchodilator Reversibility Test – Performed after the initial spirometry test, this assesses how your lungs respond to inhaled medication. It helps determine whether your breathing difficulties are reversible, which is key for diagnosing conditions like asthma.

There is no prior prep just wear comfortable clothing. You can eat and drink beforehand but no or vigorous exercise.

Some tests use a spirometer, a device you breathe into (through a mouthpiece) that measure the amount of air and how quickly you’re able to inhale and exhale.

You will be asked to perform multiple attempts and you will wear a nose clip to ensure you breathe through your mouth.

Processed meats such as salami/ham, high oxidant foods like lettuce, berries, turnip tops/chervil are better to avoid. Similarly, anything with high caffeine content such as tea, coffee, and Coca-Cola. These items can affect the results of your lung function tests.

If you take a bronchodilator, please continue to use them as advised by your doctor. If you regularly use bronchodilators (Relievers such as Ventolin or Salbutamol, for example) please do not use them for a few hours before your appointment.

Avoid smoking for 1 hour before testing.

Notify your doctor if you’re pregnant or if you have abdominal swelling, both affect your ability to breathe deeply.

These tests are covered by some insurance provides but please check with your insurance beforehand.

You may feel faint or light-headed due to hyperventilation, but this will resolve in 15-45 minutes.