Peak Flow Meter readings

  • Thread starter Thread starter Thalassa
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Thalassa

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Hi, I have a few questions... I have been wheezing all this summer and am now on Advair and have been using Albuterol as needed. I was using my moms Monaghan pfm as she's not using it anymore and I'm getting some odd results. Yesterday my lungs were tight feeling and I had a reading of 540. Today not near as wheezy and had 800 (possibly higher).
How accurate are these things? And what sort of nurabers are average for a woman like me? How high is the highest nuraber that is still realistic?

*other info*
I am a female in mid 30s and 5'7". Doctor has always been impressed with my nurabers and last time at his office I had 580 even though I was wheezing on my blow out.
The Monaghan model I was using only goes to 800 Liters/Min
 
Around 500 is average for a healthy woman your age, but that's just the average. Your lung health measurements should be based off of your personal best. If you CAN do 800 sometimes, then 540 is only 67% of that. Generally anything below 80% of your personal best (which would be 640) is considered a sign you aren't doing well, and anything below 50% means you may be in serious trouble.

Now, there is considerable variation among meters. It's just a piece of plastic! But if you are using the same device and using it in a consistent manner, you should get some useful info about changes in your condition.
 
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