Pulse oximeter

[christina1947]

Hi all hope u keeping safe and well anyone got a oximetry off line. I got one think it cost £12 just wondering how reliable it is my pulse monitor is correct I checked by hand but the stats are 93 sometimes 94 but mostly 93 When my GP last did a reading my stats where 97 but that was 12 months ago Any opinions. Take care keep safe stay positive xxx

[Hidden]

Normally I would suggest next time you are with the nurse or doc check your oximeter with the one they use as a comparison for accuracy.

[O2Trees]

The manufacturers usually state that they can be up to 3% inaccurate. If you have a chance to check yours against your respiratory nurse or GP's one, then whatever the difference is you can use to calculate what your reading is. A bit irritating but it's perfectly accurate. E.g. if yours is 2% under your doctor's one, then you know to add 2% onto your readings to get the correct results. Bit hard at the moment though without face to face appointments.

[cofdrop-UK]

Best to get one with the CE mark on it.Cx

[Darceydoo]

Your local Chemist may be able to check it for you.

[Greenfingers20 in reply to Darceydoo]

We aren't supposed to go in chemist as CEV😒

[Joy123]

I have 4, in different places around the house. They all give different readings. A couple of them were quite expensive £30 approx I don’t think they are any more accurate than the cheaper ones. I’m suppose to keep between 88/92 but sometimes my reading is 96. I often think i feel particularly SOB but when I check, according to the oxi, I’m not! Best just to take the reading as approximate. Joy x.

[Greenfingers20 in reply to Joy123]

I'm same with my BP machine-white coat syndrome at docs continues at home!😂

[Biker88]

The readings will also vary depending on what hand and what finger you use, it is possible to show 90 on one hand and 97 on the other.

[Ian1967 in reply to Biker88]

Very good point Biker88, if your fingers are cold you will also get lower readings, I do my pulmonary rehabilitation exercises at home in the garage using my exercise bike, after each different exercise I do my SATS in this cold weather the garage is very cold so I tend to wear gloves and then take them off to use pulse oximeter.

Ian.

[Aingeful]

I've just ordered one from Amazon, £6.99 so no idea how accurate it is. It had good reviews. When the district nurse or GP measure my oxygen levels they are usually 92. They say this is normal for Pulmonary Fibrosis. A year or two ago they were 98!!

[Mrbojangles in reply to Aingeful]

Lucky you, i paid £33 for mine back in the summer.😜One tip though, keep finger clean and dry and let it settle for 20 seconds.

[Aingeful in reply to Mrbojangles]

Thanks.i was also told to leave my nail varnish off!

[Alberta56]

I wasn't sure about the one I bought for£20 on line. But when I was ill it gave a low reading; as I got better the reading went up.

[Greenfingers20]

One being delivered today Amazon. £26 good reviews so hopefully a good one. Some reviewed were not accurate.

[Walkwalkwalk]

These have recently hit the news so it’s possible that prices are coming down. It’s worth checking for a CE mark ( despite Brexit). Until you can equilibrate it at your oxygen appointment just allow for a 3% up or down reading and if a reading seems very unusual check out for cold hands etc before taking it again. It’s a useful tool but not to stress over. For example if my reading is very low but my pulse normal I look to see if there is anything giving me a false reading.

I aim to stay around 95 but at 93 I am happy as I probably won’t be under 90 and possibly getting to 96. Joy!

Happy readings.

[Hidden]

had one for 3years I found out they are affected by the light I always try and shade itfrom light try and do it at rest you get a lower reading if you if have been doing exercises

also wash your hands sometimes that can cause a low reading I think they are a bit tempermental

[corriena]

Each pulsometer/oximeter will give a slightly different reading wich is why it is best to stick to one, get to know what is normal for you on your machien. then do a week of checks say 3 times a day. then you will know if it drops on your machien it is time to keep an eye on whats going on.

PS, i paid £9 for mine a few years ago off Groupon still working well for me.

[oldwindsorian]

I have COPD and was told that anything around 93/95 was OK. I check mine most days and it is usually about these so i would suggest if you have same lung probs ypur readings sound about right..Keep well. Stay safe.