Oxygen levels

[CELAT06]

Hi all, how low should oxygen levels be before considering going to hospital. TIA. Christine.

[Dl98]

Contact 999 in an emergency

[horseygirl_0103 in reply to Dl98]

the second time it happened we waited 2 hours for an ambulance & my levels were slowly getting lower & I was having palpitations

This time round my dad took m there so i had immediate transport

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I was told by my oxygen nurse that if mine dropped below 87and stayed there I must phone an ambulance on 999. Hope this helps please let us know how you are doing have a good day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx 🌻🌻

[Photoschnau]

Hi. I’ve been checking this as I’ve finally succumbed to Covid. NHS guidelines say below 92% needs emergency treatment.

However I’m aware that many people on this site have less than this on average and will have been given individual advice.

[katieoxo60 in reply to Photoschnau]

Sorry you have Covid hope you start to feel better soon, I was told similar to you if oxygen remains below 92 to seek medical advice or out of hours call111, but realise many people with lung conditions do have normal oxygen readings below that along with many other readings being not conforming to norm only the patient knows when things are not their norm . As suggested if you feel unwell or not your usual norm seek medical advice if only from the chemist.

[Hidden]

With the caveat that I’m not remotely medically qualified. As a general rule of thumb for those with no health problems or who normally have good oxygen levels in spite of lung disease, my understanding is that sats of 92% or below would normally indicate need for supplementary oxygen, and would therefore require medical assessment. However, as Bernadette’s reply suggests, some people with lung conditions have lower resting oxygen levels anyway, so they may be allowed to sit lower than this without people being concerned: to some extent, when to worry depends on what’s normal for you, but if you haven’t been told you can go below 92%, my advice would be to assume you should seek help if you do. If your sats are above 92% but significantly lower than usual, whether to seek advice also depends on what - if any - other symptoms you’ve got. My daughter has been really unwell with her lung disease in the past, but somehow still able to maintain her sats at 93%. There was no debate at all that she still very much needed to be in hospital. If you’re generally feeling unwell from a respiratory standpoint, then seeking medical advice would be sensible regardless of whether your sats are below 92% or not.

[busygardener]

morning,my O2 sats are usually 90-92% as the norm and was told to go to hospital if below 90% for a period of time.Get to know your normal oxygen rate and always move probe to another finger and make sure fingers are warm you can also increase rates by taking a couple of deep breathes.good luck x

[Millyboo710]

It would be best to check with your respiratory team what is best for you.

[Lol1944]

This is a very difficult question to answer. Inmho the longer you have lung issues the more the body gets used to low oxygen levels. It is necesary over time to know when low is too low and you need to seek help. After eighteen years with severe emphysema I can sit quietly at 88/92 and also go about some activities at 85 and cope. My consultant does ask me how but my body just seems to have gotten used to it. I also have found that speed of activity matters. Walking g at my speed registers 91 and is no problem. Walking at my partners speed means regular stops to catch my breath. Trimming the privet hedge requires too much energy so my speed becomes almost stopped. I personally consider that keeping going regardless is the key to longevity.

[Tykelady in reply to Lol1944]

I'm pleased to know that someone has the same sort of levels as I do. I do have home oxygen now after years of adjusting to low levels and damaging my heart in the process but my sats drop after any exertion (they rise just as quickly). I worried when I read about people with low sats dialling 999 but feel a bit better now.

[Lol1944 in reply to Tykelady]

Yes it is true that battling against low oxygen levels causes the heart to work much too hard. This is where I feel the health services let us down. Many many many years ago after a hospital admission the respiratory team visited me and provided a nebuliser and 40 nebs over 10 days. When well again I obviously enquired about getting a nebuliser and was told I didn't need one. Having discovered the benefits I bought one anyway and since then have always maintained a stock of 40 nebs. Probably twice a year over last fifteen years have used it and saved a hospital admission. This year when got covid I used my 40 and managed to persuade a local gp for a further 40. Contrary to expectations I survived the covid and no hospital intervention.Often on this site I note that still the possession of a nebuliser is not recommended or is refused to a patient.

I seriously question why on earth not? How many hospital admissions would it save?

My experience of annual checks is the oxymeter is always used at rest-----pretty useless really!! Makes no account to level dropping on exertion.!

I have twice had the 6 minute walk test. One years ago culminated in a heavy tank on my back to walk about, so therefore made life much more difficult. That soon got sent back. Second test 18months ago level dropped fleetingly to 91 only once, so no oxygen recommended.

That being said I do have a concentrator bought privately that is my little secret!! Three times weekly for one hour whilst watching TV I use it and maintain a level of 95., simp.y to protect my body organs.

I have been a great believer in helping myself to what is available regardless of GPS opinions. I reckon when I am in you last throes of this illness I will advise my gp and consultant exactly how I have kept myself going so long. They will be surprised but it mayhelp others

[katieoxo60 in reply to Lol1944]

Thank you Lol1944, I am glad to hear you don't always follow the guide lines DRs do. If I had agreed with my Gp I would have been carrying a heavy ward dossier from treatment to make me better when in fact some of the drugs were making me iller. But I agree maybe nebulisers should be readily available as they do work for many , there are fans now with a mist spray wonder if they might help for some in preference to basic fans. This week I went to the supermarket with a freind but sadly I can't manage that as I have more than one illness affecting my mobility it was an ordeal I don't need to endure. . But it was nice to talk to others and I can manage to get to physio in another town., as there are many places to rest.

[Izb1]

I dont know anything about oxygen Celat06 but am concerned that if you asking you dont feel well and hope by now you either feel better or have contacted emergency services. Please let us know how you are doing x

[ghousrider]

Hi all yes thats the question i would like to now i have health problems as long as my arm i rang 119 to aslk for the booster i got refused saying peoelple with copd dont need the booster , i have it bad my brother got it now they gave it him i have a tracky in kneck answer was still now . am i coming to the end of life seems that i have been refused

[Alberta56 in reply to ghousrider]

Sorry you can't get the help you deserve.

[Aingeful]

I have pulmonary fibrosis and my oxygen levels are usually 90. I am not on oxygen at home.

[peege]

I wish I knew something about O2 to advise however, you obviously aren't feeling right so why don't you give the helpline a call today for qualified advice - 0300 555 2800 - before 5pm for some guidance. Good luck CELAT06

[garshe]

My Respiratory team say if you have COPD it's ok for your oxygen levels to be between 88 and 92. Mine are usually between 94 and 96 but can go down lower . I used to be obsessed and was checking my levels constantly. At one time I had an Oximeter on both hands.

This was me and my Health Anxiety, but since I have controlled this now, I do not check my levels.

They are only numbers and I monitor myself on how I am coping and feeling.

You can get Paranoid and cause panic attacks .

Also if your hands are cold this will affect the reading. Many factors to consider

If you are unwell and SOB then you should phone 111 or 999.

Hope you feel better soon. Take care

Sheila xx💕⚘

[BreatheasyBe]

Hi Thank goodness you are checking your sats. I didn’t for years and anytime they were checked I’d be sitting at rest. Only on insisting things weren’t great walking did they realise there was a problem during the walk test. Sats generally are around 88-92 at rest and I’ve been told that’s my base line. I’m on ambulatory oxygen for any exertion and have found it beneficial. At times oxygen dips due to an infection so I’d advise you always check in with your specialist to get advice specifically for your condition.

[Kate124]

I have pulmonary hypertension. My sats normally run in 80s. Although I've been told should be 92ish. If I'm doing things can drop mainly to 50s. But if I rest can bring them back up. I'm on 24/7 oxygen.

[Holiday12345 in reply to Kate124]

Hi Kate is it the pulmonary hypertension that causes your o2 levels to drop so low. Mine dropped to 68% in 6 min walk test but consultant flummoxed by this

[Kate124 in reply to Holiday12345]

I presume so. Although consultant says it's the copd. Which I've had for 6 years without much bother. In fact prior to PH diagnosis i was abroad 4 times a year. Out every weekend. This last year I've been good for nothing.

[crashdoll]

Oxygen sats are only one part of the picture. If you’re feeling poorly and your sats are good, please don’t ignore the fact that you’re not well. You need to get properly checked out. Having normal oxygen sats doesn’t rule out the need for medical attention. Hope you are doing ok.

[Albertisadog1991]

It should be noted that not all patients with low readings benefit from extra oxygen - as they may be Co2 retainers - and require this carbon to be removed - not increased.

Purchasing oxygen without informing ones carers could lead to serious concequences.

Your care team should make you aware of this situation and may be the reason they will not subscribe nebulisers for you.

[Burbagegran in reply to Albertisadog1991]

That is very good advice. I have severe COPD and have bee told my sats should normally be between 88-92%. Going above for someone like me can be dangerous, oxygen is usually prescribed as it is a 'medicine' and going above or below may have consequences.I also retain CO2 so am on an NIV ventilator at night to flush it out so I can hold more oxygen in my lungs.

I think most of us can benefit from some solid advice on our sats and the best way to keep them under control and within the right limits.

Hope everyone stays well and safe.

Joan x

[Holiday12345 in reply to Albertisadog1991]

Do you know what causes co2 to be retained? Is it primarily incorrect breathing?

[Albertisadog1991 in reply to Holiday12345]

I would also love to know what causes me to retain carbon - if it is as simple as incorrect breathing why have I not been advised over the years "how to breath properly" ....!?!?!?! instead of being given a machine to do it for me .... after 85 years am I incapable of being taught how to do it myself....!?!?!?!?

[horseygirl_0103]

mine was 55 -the very first time ever it happened in august 2020 it was 40