Before confirming a diagnosis of asbestosis, your GP will ask you about your symptoms and listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. If your lungs have been affected by asbestosis, when you breathe they will make a distinctive crackling noise.
Your GP will require details of your work history, including any times when you may have been exposed to asbestos, the length of any possible exposure, and whether you were issued with any safety equipment, such as a face mask.
If your GP suspects asbestosis, a diagnosis can usually be confirmed by running a series of additional tests. These tests are described below.
Spirometer
A spirometer is a machine that measures how much oxygen you can breathe in, and how much carbon dioxide you can breathe out. These measurements can be used to assess how effective your lungs are.
X-rays
X-rays can detect abnormalities in the structure of your lungs that are caused by asbestosis.
CT scans
CT scans are more detailed than X-rays and can often be used to detect asbestosis in its earliest stage.
