Very interesting post. I spent a lot of time researching FEV numbers and their meanings. So, how did I go from 20's & 30's of predicted to a 48 on Feb 20, 2013-----49 on May 30, 2013----45 on Sept 23, 2013-----45 on January 7, 2014???? The only difference I can detect is weight loss and an increase in height. LOL on the increase in height. (Every time my height is measured it is different; I get taller; shorter----apparently I do not stand up straight? My Pulmonary Doctor staged me at Very Severe Emphysema----this due to his eagle eye on my lung x-rays and the type of damage to my lungs.
Denny: I gave it my best shot----on researching DLCO online. It it quite complicated (it did take me over a year to understand the FEV numbers and their relevance). On the DLCO articles that I have read and researched; I can compare my scores to online examples and I would be rated as Severe and/or Very Severe Emphysema. My Pulmonary Doctor always relates information to me in a "doom and gloom" manner. Every 3 months I report in for chest x-rays; walk test;PFT and DLCO tests: all performed by various technicians.
Then; I meet with the Pulmonary Doctor and he has reviewed all of my tests and lets me know where I am in my Chronic Disease. I leave there deflated and depressed. I believe I am doing well; as I can still walk; I am still alive beyond Pulmonary predictions and statistics. I have seen an enlarged computer image of my lungs. My lungs look very very damaged; yet I continue to put one foot in front of the other.

Blue -
Is your doc named "Eeyore"? Sounds like he should be. Just remember there is always just enough left to laugh. Just keep pushing air in and out, thank him for his time and think about Eyeore: http://blogs.disney.com/oh-my-disney/2013/09/17/12-amazing-witticisms-from-eeyore/

Hugs,
Dennis

LOL @ dennis eyore link---long time since i saw those, it was fun! :)
blueiris= congratulations on your weight loss that it sounds like you are doing well with it if it changes your #'s!

which made me think; they always just "asked me" my height & weight; which i gave the same as i have given anyone asking for the past 30 years LOL~~~~same as been on my DL all those years (close, but not quite truthful) *blush*
dennis=does the height & weight i tell them make a difference on what PFT results would read?

Jarca: I believe that they use age; pack years smoked; height; weight; and gender in computing the statistics for your PFT breathing tests.
I could be wrong; as Denny is much more informed than I am.
I went from 199.5 pounds to 134-136 pounds. That weight loss could be the change in my FEV1.