Welcome to the Gold Coast Lung Function Lab: Your Partner in Lung Health
Lung Function Testing at Coastal Respiratory & Sleep Specialists
Coastal Respiratory & Sleep Specialists provides advanced clinical facilities and technical support for independent Respiratory Physicians consulting across the Gold Coast. The lung function laboratory offers the infrastructure and resources necessary to assess and manage a wide range of conditions — from mild asthma and chronic cough to complex respiratory diseases.
Why Lung Function Testing Matters
The lungs play a critical role in overall health: delivering oxygen, removing carbon dioxide, supporting immune function, and maintaining homeostasis. Environmental exposures such as allergens, pollution, and irritants can affect lung health over time. Early detection of respiratory issues enables timely management and improved long-term outcomes.
Key Lung Function Tests
- Spirometry — Measures exhalation volume and speed to help detect obstructive lung diseases, including asthma and COPD.
- Lung Volume Testing – Evaluates total lung capacity, assisting in identifying restrictive lung disorders or hyperinflation.
- Diffusion Capacity (Gas-transfer) — Assesses how efficiently oxygen moves into the bloodstream, important for lung tissue or gas exchange disorders.
- Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) — Detects airway inflammation, supporting asthma diagnosis and management.
- 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) — Measures exercise tolerance and oxygen response, providing insight into lung and heart function during daily activity.
Most tests are non-invasive, safe, and completed within 15–30 minutes.
Conditions Supported
The laboratory facilitates the diagnosis and management of a wide range of respiratory conditions, including but not limited to:
- Chronic cough, persistent or unexplained breathlessness, or shortness of breath.
- Asthma — including diagnosis, monitoring of airway inflammation, and evaluating response to treatment.
- COPD and other obstructive lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
- Restrictive lung diseases, interstitial lung disease / pulmonary fibrosis, and other conditions affecting lung tissue or lung volume.
- Assessment for oxygen needs, suitability for rehabilitation, response to therapy, and monitoring disease progression.
For Patients and Referring Clinicians
The laboratory provides reliable, timely testing for patients and for referring GPs. Referrals can be submitted via the online referrals portal.
For more information or to enquire about lung function testing, please contact Coastal Respiratory & Sleep Specialists.
Written by Zaac Kelly the Respiratory and Sleep Scientist. You can meet Zaac at Pimpama in the Lung Function Laboratory.