low oxygen levels when sleeping

[FitCharly]

hi, I’ve not posted on here for a while but wondering if it’s normal for oxygen levels to drop to 87 while sleeping. I have bronchiactsis which is quite mild and luckily doesn’t affect me very much. I have an overnight pulse oximeter which I started using as I was waking feeling very tired. It comes with an alarm which goes off when it drops to 87, mine constantly goes off and wakes me up so I take it off. So it could be dropping even lower, just checking this is ok. Thanks for any help.

[peege]

Hello, interesting question and I look forward to your replies. Only this morning I noticed on my Fitbit app it said low oxygen level for my night's sleep. It didn't give a number so I'll try to check it every time I wake up for a pee tonight

[peege in reply to peege]

OK, in the night I checked once, it was 93. On rising (for 1st cuppa) at 6.30 it was 98. I would speak to gp although some GPs treat you like a hyperchondriac when you tell them you sleep wearing an oximeter . I'd tell them you just checked your O2 in the night a couple of times because you felt really really awful or that you couldn't breath?

Or, you could WhatsApp a copy of your post to the helpline number for an expert opinion.

[watergazer]

hi fit fitcharly I have a fit bit watch and my O2 levels sometimes drop to 90 when asleep I also have bronchiectasis and asthma Maybe a chat with your GP is required I find that my oximeter doesn’t always work correctly as my fingers get cold. X

[B0xermad]

Hi do you elevate your bed or pillow? It could make a difference

[Biker88]

Oxygen levels do drop when sleeping, my consultant wants my daytime level to be 88-92, my levels will drop into the high 70s on any exertion. So I’m now on ambulatory oxygen, with my target levels 87 would be ok. We are all different but a good indicator would be how low do your levels drop when just walking about the house and how quick do they come up again. Your GP/consultant can refer you for an oxygen assessment at home but I suspect they may want more evidence of problems rather than your Fitbit figures.

[MoosterMoo]

Could it also be the interrupted sleep making you tired? I'm a little similar. I no longer need oxygen at right and rely on my Fitbit app for night oxygen readings. They vary from 93% to 88% . I use oxygen when on the move but at rest my days are usually 94/95 % obviously everyone is different so I'd definitely mention it to your gp or respiratory team. 😊

[Ergendl]

My Fitbit records my oxygen levels dropping deeply for spells a couple of times during the night but they usually spring back up again. It calls the readings normal.

How does your oxymeter work? I have a finger pulse oxymeter from from Amazon, which if I keep it on for a long time, its readings become less accurate because of the pinch clip.

[PaulineHM]

Hi, I don’t have Bronchiectasis but if you are concerned about your 02 levels at night then perhaps speck to your GP or the ALUK helpline to talk it over.

Hope you get a helpful answer to your query.

Go well.

Pauline

[FitCharly in reply to PaulineHM]

Thank you everyone for your help. Think a chat with the GP is called for. Just worried that oxygen dropping so low could affect organs.

[Denzie]

I'm in the US so the test name may be different but your symptoms sound like mine. Was sent for a sleep study and they found I have sleep apnea. Now I sleep with a C-PAP machine and sleep so much better. My numbers stay in the mid to-high 90s.

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, even type 2 diabetes. It can leave you waking up exhausted even when f you sleep through the night. So, yes, you are right, it can affect other organs and you are smart to be concerned. My pulmonologist manages my sleep tests.

[FitCharly in reply to Denzie]

Thank you so much, it’s nice to get a bit of reassurance that you are not imagining things. I will definitely make an appointment with my GP.

[Denzie in reply to FitCharly]

So glad you were able to make sense of all the autocorrects my thumbs hit.

[Ern007]

I have used a pulse oximeter and got (spiked) levels as low as 75 - Pulse averaging 38 with a low of 32

The thing is I averaged 90 - That was normal 4 years ago.

To answer you question - it is normal to drop a little at night - But if often getting low inparticular near 88. see you GP, se your GP if your feel unwell or worried anyway.