low oxygen levels

[Holiday12345]

looking through low oxygen level posts I see a lot with lung disease so low 90s etc… does that mean their top oxygen level is low 90s? I’m being investigated for possible small airways disease/bronchiastasis or bronchiolitis plus asthma my o2 on sitting is good 97-99% but moving about it can drop 90-95 but goes back quickly up to normal on sitting. This morning upstairs to loo then back down (using O2 ring to monitor) it sat at 98 all the time till I got back f do own the stairs then dropped to 93 and stayed there till I sat down. Is this what folk are experiencing or does theirs sit at 90 ish all the time? Thanks just trying to understand this a bit better no doc has explained anything yet.

[Bevvy]

My o2 levels remain high at all times even when am extremely unwell! 95-97. Some people their top level is 93 or less. This is why some people are required to have oxygen - in order to protect internal organs that will struggle and potentially become damaged due to lack of oxygen.

The fact yours remain high is good. However you should be telling your doctors that levels fall when walking/moving about. They may decide to do a specific walking test to see what is happening and what if any action they need to take.

[Holiday12345 in reply to Bevvy]

Thank you for reply. Yes I had the 6 min walk test but o2 dropped to 68% and heart rate dropped to 51 repeatedly when I was walking both went back up to normal on stopping each time. Respiratory consultant can understand it

[Bevvy in reply to Holiday12345]

I am not a doctor or on oxygen so don’t fully understand how these things work but if drops when walking shouldn’t you be on ambulatory oxygen??

Just looked at previous post from you and can see it’s being investigated. Hope they get some answers for you soon and ways to move things forward.

[Holiday12345 in reply to Bevvy]

Yes my GP noticed oxygen levels dropping last October 7 weeks after my first vaccine .. I was very unwell from it. And it’s taken so long to get to just this stage and that’s only because I used my husbands private healt insurance to try speed things up a bit. Still long wait to see consultant privately too

[mauschen in reply to Holiday12345]

I waited 4 months to see a private consultant and am still waiting for his report more than 6 months since I contacted private insurance

[hypercat54]

I have COPD and also stupidly smoke too. My usual stats are low 90's but I am fine with that.

You only need to worry if your sats drop below 88 for long periods as that can cause organ damage.

[Holiday12345 in reply to hypercat54]

that’s reassuring to know that it’s long periods of low o2 that cause the organ damage not temporary drops thank you

[hypercat54 in reply to Holiday12345]

You are welcome. We are all different though so if you feel unwell best to get it checked out. `

[mauschen in reply to hypercat54]

COPD patients gradually compensate for low oxygen levels which is why the an be fine on low 90’s. However, it’s important to tell ambulance personnel that you have COPD as putting you on high levels of oxygen in an emergency is not good for you

[Hidden]

With the caveat that I’m not medically qualified. Some people have permanently reduced oxygen saturations, even at rest. There are a number of mechanisms that can impair oxygen uptake and utilisation, but it may be due to an inability to absorb oxygen through the lungs due to damage, or an inability to properly use the oxygen that is absorbed. There are people with a variety of medical conditions, not just lung problems, whose sats never get above 92% at rest even with supplemental oxygen. Some conditions may mean that resting sats are fine but that they drop with exertion or movement. For some people decreased sats may be a permanent consequence of their illness, so they always have what would be considered low maximum saturation levels, for others it may be an indication of a condition that’s flaring (so perhaps an untreated infection or an exacerbation of lung disease), or an underlying condition that’s not currently being managed appropriately, or perhaps yet to be diagnosed. My daughter has a genetic disease primarily effecting the lungs, and when she had a very long-standing, undiagnosed and untreated infection, her sats were never higher than 95% and commonly sat at 93 at rest. It took about 8 months to finally diagnose and treat the pathogen responsible, but once it was resolved, she went back to 98%+ when well. With bad infections, she has dropped below 92% at rest and needed oxygen until the infection was resolved enough that her body was able to utilise oxygen properly again. As with many people, if her sats are low for her, that’s usually a good clinical indication that there’s something going on that needs treating, which is why it’s useful for people to know what their normal oxygen levels are like.

I should just add that variation in saturations is normal to an extent. It’s normal to have lower oxygen levels overnight, and also with exertion for some people, and to a limited degree. There are exceptions, particularly for those with respiratory or cardiac problems, where what’s considered acceptable may be lower depending on the condition and the individual, but the magic number for most people is 92%: below that is where doctors start to get a bit more worried.

[Holiday12345 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you that’s a good explanation. I hope your daughter is keeping well!

[Alberta56]

My sats are normally between 94 and 96, but I seem to be able to function more or less normally with that.

[corriena]

Different people will have diferent experiances with this. Some people can be quite unwell but still maintain a stedy o2 rate ( could be the heart working overtime) others can drop in movement and exercise or even having a conversation. You levels will be indavidule to you. However the fact that you recover quickly is a good sighn. It might be an idear to make a diary of your levels so you can see what causes the drops ect. (If your levels stay low for a long time this can have a negative affect on other organs but the respatry team will explane this to you if you ask them)I have empacemia bronckiextasis and sathma. My o2 sits at 94 ish on exercise it drops to 88/89 but recovers on rest or with ventolin if my airways feel tight and restricted

[Tykelady]

My levels drop rapidly, even with oxygen, on activity and the maximum after a long period of rest still only reaches 93. I was told not to get a personal oxymeter as it would only cause me anxiety but otherwise how would I know when my levels were dropping? I also have an erratic pulse rate but hopefully on my visit to the surgery next week (Yippee!)I will remember to ask the right questions.

[CDPO16 in reply to Tykelady]

I was also told not to buy an oximeter but my oxygen prescription is for ambulatory and short burst. Without knowing my levels I wouldn't know when I needed the short burst. For example they drop after a meal which is one of the times I use short burst. Good luck with your visit to the surgery. Make a few notes if you have specific questions when you go.

[CDPO16]

Some good information in your replies which I hope have given you some reassurance until you get specific answers from your doctor.

[Loopylorre]

I went to a pulmonary rehab class earlier this year & they discovered when I was exercising my sats dropped to 73/74, I was given an appointment with an oxygen clinic & had the walk test, first without oxygen then again with oxygen, he decided it would help me with my saturation levels, I also had my cataracts done last year & both times after each eye was operated on when they did my sats level they were low, but all they did was get me to do lots of deep breaths & the levels soon came up again, very confusing when your told if they drop below 84 ring an ambulance, fortunately I’m managing it all well & keeping well, just wish they all said the same rather than each health professional having their own spin on things, hope everyone keeps well & if you do need to see someone manage to get an appointment 😊🌻🌹

[Holiday12345 in reply to Loopylorre]

Thank you for your reply. That’s really interesting. Did you find out why your stats dropped when exercising? And do you still need to use the oxygen? I’m glad to hear you’re doing well thanks again

[Loopylorre in reply to Holiday12345]

No didn’t get a specific reason as to why it happens, I just thought it was due to me having COPD, I only use it when I’m exercising or will be doing a lot of walking, I have an appointment on the 12 th to see how I’m doing with it, so hopefully it’ll go well, I tend not to use it if I’m just going to hairdressers, dentist as it’s just a case of on the bus & when I get off it’s right there, same returning, will let u know how it goes, 😊🌻

[Holiday12345 in reply to Loopylorre]

All the best for the appoint!

[Loopylorre in reply to Holiday12345]

Thank you 😊

[busygardener]

At present having pulmonary rehab,they say its normal for oxygen levels to drop during and post exercise.You have to find what is normal for you.Also oxygen levels are always low in room air.Get to know your levels i,m usually 91-92%,occasionally 94-95% which i am happy with.Also check your fingers are pink and perfused.

[Holiday12345 in reply to busygardener]

Thank you for your reply. That’s good to know its meant to go down with exercise. Maybe as I’m de conditioned and very fatigued atm the readings are worse than they should be. I hope the pulmonary rebhab is helping you. Is it the same as respiratory physiotherapy ?