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Lung diffusion testing

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Diffusing capacity

DLCO test

Lung diffusion testing measures how well the lungs exchange gases. This is an important part of lung testing, because the major function of the lungs is to allow oxygen to diffuse or pass into the blood from the lungs, and to allow carbon dioxide to diffuse from the blood into the lungs.

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Self Care

The Basics

Tests for Pulmonary function testing

A Closer Look

Newborn screening testing

Blood is routinely drawn from newborn infants for testing. Blood is obtained by a heel stick and collected on a special blotter paper. Routine testing usually includes phenylketonuria, thyroid function, hemoglobin S (sickle cell disease), and may test for other disorders. Newborn screening programs vary from state to state. Testing can be tailored to the local population, determining what routine testing should be done.

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Thyroid function test

One way to evaluate the performance of the thyroid is through blood testing. The thyroid function test is a group of common tests used to evaluate how the thyroid is functioning.

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Review Date: 11/25/2023+

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