yearly sounds about right.
of course it also depends what other tests that your dr does.

I have had pulm that did PFT yearly, but no other tests.
then i had pulm that did PFT once, but HRCT yearly & no other tests.

I just got Pulm that did "the works" ---many tests that i have never had before, but that is because i am a new patient & she is VERY thorough.

I personally feel that a 6 minute walk test should be done yearly & if 02 needs change then other tests, like PFT, HRCT, ECG etc can be ordered accordingly.

my personal opinion

I usually get PFTs done every 6 months along w/6Min Walk Test. Chest HRCT done yearly. I am on Oxygen 24/7 and from Feb 14 to Mar 15 my O2 flow has been changed 3x.

For Medicare payment, I believe that the patient has to be retested every 6 months. Don't know about other insurance plans.

At this point, I don't think there is anything "supplemental" about my need for oxygen therapy.

I've had a PFT every 6 months for last 5+ years, and an extra two or three every 3 months. Have lost count.

The results used to vary approx. 5-15%, up and down, but have settled down recently to indicate a steady progression downward.

I never really thought about it, but perhaps I have so many PFT's because I can "fool" the 6 minute walk - I've completed it without so much as a 2% drop in O2, yet other times I can not make the first lap.

Gnott, I know what you mean re the 6MWT, I start off ok w/O2 at 2 immediately drop, raise O2 to 3; raise the O2 level to 4 and achieve an O2 level of 94.

Complete the test very SOB however, my O2 level holds at 94. How can a person be soooo SOB while their O2 level is at 94?

Have been advised to raise the level to 5 temporarily when very SOB.

Also, advised to walk slower.

I also think it depends on what day of the week all the tests were scheduled for.

Perhaps, Sunday is my good day......

Just my warped sense of humor!!

SOB and 02 don't always go together.

my kids & i play with my oximeter all the time (fun with copd)---i walk to the bathroom & my 02 drops, but i don't always get out of breath as long as i go "at my pace"
my kids can do anything from running in place, push ups, etc to where they are huffing & puffing & SOB to where they feel like they are going to pass out, but their 02 will read fine --- their pulse however will be pounding at 138 or more.

i think our SOB has something to do with bronchiospasms.
i have gotten SOB just sitting in a chair when the barometer changes, but my 02 will read fine.
also elevation effects my 02 needs, my 02 drops at higher elevation even if i am just sitting in a car & don't feel SOB

ps. i hadn't had a PFT since 2012 and medicare has always paid for my 02 since i was dx'd in 2010 & put on it.

i'm poor & have a hard time affording the 20% co-pay for all of these tests; that is why i thought the simple test 1st :)

ps. I also think what stage a person is in might make a difference how often to do a PFT.
if mild copd once a year may be fine, but if severe maybe every 6 months ???

Thanks to all for your responses. I get one every year, guess that is about normal.

At our current forex rate, my pulmo asks for $85 up front in cash before I even cross the threshold into his sanctum. Any tests, even a simple 6 min walk, is extra $$ which I must smack down before I leave. I sure can't afford his rates and my medical insurance doesn't \pay for consultation fees (hospital procedures & chronic meds only). The last time I had PFT/ECG/HRCT/etc tests was during my last visit to ICU in 2009. At that time I was told I was "end" stage 4 and put onto O2 @ 6lm 24/7. I don't thank any more PFT's will change the story.

Like Jarca, my SOB gets worse the higher the altitude, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, the humidity at the coast seems to suck the O2 out of the air. Thankfully we live in the midlands and that's were we are happiest. :-)