FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) is a test that measures the levels of nitric oxide in your breath. 

A high level of nitric oxide when you breathe out can be a sign that you have inflamed airways, and could be a sign that you have asthma.

A FeNO test is suitable for adults and most children over five. 

For more information:

FeNO Information Leaflet NHS.

Spirometry and FeNO are basic breathing tests. They measure the amount of air you can blow out and the level of inflammation in your lungs. Your GP/Practice Nurse has requested this test to assess your lungs. The appointment will take around 1 hour 15 minutes (30-minute appointment, 30-minute wait, 15-minute follow up appointment).

What happens during your appointment?

The clinician performing the test will measure your height and weight. Then they will ask you to sit upright in a chair and hold the device. You will then be asked to take a deep breath in and blow into the device slowly. Then again, but as hard and as fast as you can until your lungs are completely empty. This routine will be repeated to make sure the results are consistent. You will then be given a puff of a bronchodilator and be asked to wait 30 minutes in the waiting room. You will then be invited back to repeat the Spirometry in to measure your response to the bronchodilator.

How to I prepare for the test?

• ·        You must bring your inhalers and spacer (if used) to your appointment.
• ·        You may need to stop certain inhalers before the appointment. We will let you know before the appointment what inhalers you need to stop and for how long.
• ·        Avoid smoking at least 24 hours before your test.
• ·        Do not attend the test if you are ill with a cough, fever, sickness, or diarrhoea.
• ·        Hot drinks, caffeine and alcohol should be avoided for four hours before your test.
• ·        Avoid nitrate rich foods such as green leafy vegetables (i.e. celery, leek, beetroot, lettuce, and spinach) at least 3 hours before test.
• ·        Avoid eating a large meal 2 hours before the test.
• ·        Avoid vigorous exercise in the last 1 hour prior to your test.
• ·        Please wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Please let us know prior to booking if one of the following applies:

· Coughed up blood recently.

· Collapsed Lung

· Had a heart attack within the last six weeks.

· Uncontrolled angina.

· Had a stroke in the last six weeks.

· Had any eye surgery in the last six weeks.

· Had any chest or tummy surgery in the last six weeks.

· Any chest, tummy, or brain aneurysms

· Had a middle ear infection in the last two weeks.

What happens after the tests?

After your test, the results will be interpreted by one of our clinicians. We will then be in contact with you with the results within a few weeks.