What could cause low blood oxygen level/ratio?

Question

My doctor told me that I have a low blood oxygen level. The machine conected to my finger showed it to be about 93-96. I have to return for a breathing test.

I have diabetes and I have not smoked in 17 years.

What could cause this?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Well, you doctor is wrong!!!

First of all, it is necessary to clarify what the "machine connected to your finger" really measures; pulse oximetry (the name of the method) does not measure oxygen levels in the blood; what it really measures is the percentage of hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein) that is saturated with oxygen; this is very different than oxygen level or oxygen-carrying capacity; for example, you may have very low levels of hemglobin (such as in anemia, blood loss, etc) but as long as the protein is normally saturated the machine will give a normal result (even though the oxygen levels in your blood are low). The other thing that needs to be considered before coming into any conclusions about your results is how the machine makes the measurement; the measurement depends ultimately on the blood supply of your fingertips; if the perfusion of your fingertips is compromised for any reason (diabetes is classic) then the machine with have a low reading (although the real hemoglobin saturation in your blood could be perfectly within normal limits).

In conclusion, given your history of smoking and diabetes (you never mentioned how old you are but if you are more than 45-50 or so that's another factor), your results are not surprising. Unfortunately your doctor focused his/her attempt to explain the results on your respiratory status and not on your possible vascular disease (this is a classic mistake). You should not be concerned about the "oxygen levels in your blood" but about the small blood vessel complication classically associated with diabetes (eyes, kidneys, etc.). The "breathing test" is completely unnecessary since it will not offer any information which will have any impact on your future management. If your physician was concerned about your breathing, you shouldn't have been sent home but to the ER to get a real blood oxygen level measurement (such as a "blood gas" and so on)....Your results are borderline (96 is perfectly normal) and do not signify low blood oxygen levels....

This is just another case of poor patient care, where the physician fails to provide an explanation and orders unnecessary tests to relieve his/her frustration...

Source(s):

I am a physician....

Answer 2

copd, chf, pneumonia, cold extremities. also you can't rely just on pulse ox reading, there are other variables to consider

Answer 3

poor lung function can cause it

My Dr's say that range is good, My PC dr has a 97

Mine is about 94 most of the time

90 is where ins companies pay for oxygen
88 is where medicad pays for oxygen

Source(s):

BTDT On Oxygen I do oxi stats 4x weekly

Answer 4

There are several diseases that change the shape of the corpuscles in the blood,Greeks are susceptible to this.Your doctor should find out from your test.

Answer 5

Did you ask the doctor?

Answer 6

One of the causes could be anemia. Low blood iron can cause low blood oxygen levels since oxygen is carried by the iron in your body. Ask your doctor, there are many other causes.