Low blood oxygen level anomaly

[AbductedByAsthma]

Hi,

I hope this is the right forum for this question.

A recent blood test showed that I am anaemic. My doctor sent me for a second set of blood tests, for which I’m awaiting results.

My mum has a pulse oximeter. I tried it a few days ago and the reading was 89%. Every day since, the reading has been similar, but only when I’m sitting down. If I walk around, the reading is normal at 96 or 97%. When I sit down again it drops one percent at a time back down to 89%.

My understanding is that oxygen should stay in the range of 95% - 100%, no matter what. If I’m anaemic, shouldn’t the reading be low no matter what I do? Why one rule for rest, and one for activity?

I would really appreciate someone’s informed knowledge on this.

Jules

[skischool]

Pulse oximetry is notoriously unreliable with anemic patients,here is some light bedtime reading for you,check out pages 8 & 9 to see what i mean.

incenter.medical.philips.co...

you will probably be better off submitting your question to another forum more associated with blood disorders?

[AbductedByAsthma in reply to skischool]

Thanks for the link skischool. I read pages 8 to 9 and it was very interesting.

I did search for blood related forums before posting, but couldn’t find one that was seemed relevant. In the end I went with the forum that returned the largest number of results for posts about oximetry. This forum was the winner by a mile, ha ha.

[Echoblue]

If you find any answers can you please let me know as I have experienced this for some time now with no answers! I can sit there and watch it go down by over 10 from 97 to even as low as into the 70’s, but usually down to around 87%, hover there and then climb back up a few, then down again etc! I do have a low platelet count (again, no answers why!) so that may have some impact?)

Would be fab to have some clues.

Skischool - that made very interesting reading 👍🏻

Take care

[AbductedByAsthma in reply to Echoblue]

I will definitely let you know. Thanks for replying Echoblue.

[Badbessie]

Skischool gives excellent advice. There could be a number of reasons for this and obviously no one can diagnose online. If you are resting your heart is only ticking over and if you are anemic there is not sufficient oxygenated blood arriving at the extremities to give a good reading. As you begin to walk then the heart contracts more forcefully and speeds up to meet demands. Therefore more oxygenated blood is arriving at the extremities due the increase in heart rate. This may explain the higher readings whilst moving. This is only one explanation best advice would be to speak with your GP about your concerns.

[AbductedByAsthma in reply to Badbessie]

Thanks Bessie.