Resting SpO2

I have been checking my O2 levels with 2 different home oximeters and find that my resting O2 (wile sitting is 93-96) - an it is about the same when I am sleeping (sometimes 91-93).

As background, I am 57, in good shape, exercise regularly (cardio), have a stress echocardiogram every year which is flawless. I have no known heart disease or lung disease. I feel great - well - as great as anyone can these days.

I read that the norm is 95 and higher. This makes me wonder. Either the following ...

1.) I have an unknown respiratory problem.
2.) the oximeters are not that accurate.
3.) my numbers are fine.
4.) I never read perfectly because I have "pitted" fingernails - from psoriasis - I've been told it is quite common.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Hi,

Do you know what your O2 level was during your sleep study? If that wasn't too long ago, maybe you could use that as a data point to help calibrate what you are seeing now.

If it is a sensor problem, it would be interesting to try a different kind of meter. During my last sleep study, they used a sensor that clipped to my ear lobe. That would eliminate any fingernail issue getting in the way.

I have pretty severe asthma. I see numbers in the 92 to 94 range at rest. When I use my CPAP machine, those numbers jump up to around 96 on average.

-john-

Jonguiljo, you can eliminate any errors from pitted fingernails by simply turning the pulse oximeter sideways. You may have to go down a finger or two to get a good fit because most fingers are wider than tall.

I find that I have a 3 - 4% drop while driving. When I have brought this up with various medical professionals, they have indicated that this is not significant. The goal seems to be to stay above 90% (or 88% at higher elevations).

I am now practicing breathing patterns to improve my saturation while driving, and it does improve things.

I would guess that your numbers are fine, however, you may be able to get a little higher saturation by practicing proper breathing. I find it informative to monitor during different activities and see what happens.

Well, I just tried it (2 different oximeters) and got 96-97%. It's the morning for me (I have a skewed sleep schedule). By the end of the day - I think it drops a bit due to stress (lots of it around here these days).

The fingernail problem doesn't seem to be one after all.

I have looked at my old oximeter data and I tend to sleep at 93%. My sleep test was a take home test and the machine recorded 94-95%. So everything is within range. I sleep much much deeper now (post cpap) so maybe that's why the averages are a tad lower. I really am shut down resting.

Either way I think you're right - the numbers are not significantly low to worry about.