Low Pulse Ox During The Day While Awake???!!

Do any of you know what causes a low pulse ox during the day while awake? I know an ideal pulse ox is 95 or higher, I tested mine last week during the day and it was 92-93. I was just curious what could cause this to be a tad bit lower then normal. Thanks!

There are all kinds of reasons that your SpO2 might be 92-93% during the day; everything from shallow breathing while at rest on the couch to lung damage. If you are exerting yourself it should be up around 98%-99%. Even mine, with damaged lungs and diminished lung capacity runs at LEAST that during the day while at rest and only drops under 90% while sleeping and I believe that is during REM sleep or L4. It plummets into the low 80's and 70's at times while asleep. But during the day, even at rest, it is always at least 92-93%. And with exertion and deep breathing it rises to 97-98%.

I run about 93-94 daytime, I tend to breath shallow, but I think mostly it's heart damage added to breathing rock dust and brake shoe dust. Never smoked, also breathing hard doesn't raise the level over 95 ever. I can only walk 75 feet without being out of breath, resting is the only thing that will bring the energy and breath back. Jim

No, I have never ever smoked..and I recently had a lung test at my sleep doctors office and it came back that my lungs were perfect. I do have asthma but have not had any issues with that for over 6 months. It has been that long since I have even used my inhaler. When I took my pulse ox and it read 92 or 93 it was when I was rested and actually I had not done anything at all that day to warrant a lower pulse ox. Is this something that I should be concerned about? Thanks to you all who have responded and offered my their opinions. I really appreciate it.

I don't know of any way to raise the level besides using O2, to build it up, lately I've been taking iron pills, but haven't noticed any improvement. What I really need to do is to throw the dead man off my back, (Lose 150lb), but to do that I might as well die. I can't move enough to burn enough fuel to loose weight. If my weight was half there would be more O2 in the remaining blood. Jim

My pulse ox goes down to the low 70's during the night and I am on an oxygen concentrator with my vpap machine. That is when I use it. Most nights I have a very difficult time trying to keep my mask on for more then an hour so I mostly just give up and not use it. It seems I go in cycles where I will try and try again to use my machine then I just give up and not use it at all. As far as my pulse ox during the day and it being low with me being rested and all, I have no idea what to do or think about that. I have had anemia before, I may have it now because I have not been taking my iron pills and I go days without eating. Just not hungry at all. So I am not eating right, not on any level, could that be it? Low iron maybe?

Stop guessing, call your MD and talk to him/her or get a referral to either a pulmonologist or cardiologist. How could anyone here seriously be able to say properly what the trouble is when doctors would need to test you and wouldn't dream of guessing at anything? You're talking about a very complex set of issues - your whole respiratory system is about your lungs, heart, arteries, blood gases, environment, age, medical history and individual physiology, etc. etc. It is so pointless to be speculating like that when you should be getting some professional help.

TmjTerri wrote:I do have asthma but have not had any issues with that for over 6 months. It has been that long since I have even used my inhaler.

Asthma and other obstructive and restrictive lung disease can cause low SpO2. When you say it has been over 6 months since you even used your inhaler, are you talking about a rescue inhaler, or an inhaler intended as daily medication and which will not get you out of trouble in an asthma attack? Are you using daily medication of some sort? If not, perhaps that is the answer to your question.

Julie wrote:Stop guessing, call your MD and talk to him/her or get a referral to either a pulmonologist or cardiologist. How could anyone here seriously be able to say properly what the trouble is when doctors would need to test you and wouldn't dream of guessing at anything? You're talking about a very complex set of issues - your whole respiratory system is about your lungs, heart, arteries, blood gases, environment, age, medical history and individual physiology, etc. etc. It is so pointless to be speculating like that when you should be getting some professional help.

Julie.. I agree 100%! I was just simply wondering if anyone else had experienced this and maybe could get some ideas on why it could be lower, that's all. Certainly I am going to bring it up to my doctor next visit. Please do not think that I am trying to seek medical help here, my question was out of curiosity, nothing more, nothing less. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction though!

LoQ wrote:

TmjTerri wrote:I do have asthma but have not had any issues with that for over 6 months. It has been that long since I have even used my inhaler.

Asthma and other obstructive and restrictive lung disease can cause low SpO2. When you say it has been over 6 months since you even used your inhaler, are you talking about a rescue inhaler, or an inhaler intended as daily medication and which will not get you out of trouble in an asthma attack? Are you using daily medication of some sort? If not, perhaps that is the answer to your question.

My asthma is so under control now a days that I do not need daily medication. I was talking about not using my rescue inhaler for over 6 months. Also, like I said earlier, I just had a pulminary lung funtion test less then one month ago and it came back perfect. So I am clueless why my pulse ox is like it is. I am however going to take Julie's advice and bring it up to my doctor next visit. I was just curious if anyone else experienced this same thing as me. Thanks for your reply!

TmjTerri wrote:My asthma is so under control now a days that I do not need daily medication. I was talking about not using my rescue inhaler for over 6 months. Also, like I said earlier, I just had a pulminary lung funtion test less then one month ago and it came back perfect. So I am clueless why my pulse ox is like it is.

Asthma can be seasonal, since it is often triggered by allergens. Perhaps that's the clue you are seeking. Did your doctor tell you to stop taking the daily medication, or did you decide to do that because your pulmonary function test was normal? When you had your PFT, were you on daily medication at that time? Just some questions for you to ponder. But I'm sure the doctor will get to the bottom of it.

More anecdotal stories: my father in law has a very low pulse ox while awake, around 92%. Never smoked or drank a day in his life but he has cardiac problems. I agree, low awake SPO2 can be due to many things, though anemia does seem like an obvious one to look for first.

What kind of lung testing did they do? A simple blowing test may not be enough (lung volume measurement?), a poor oxygen-CO2 exchange can also be an issue.

Lack of appetite is not good either. But please do talk to your doctor, as these issues are beyond the scope of this forum, and they do not sound trivial. Good luck!

And please do start another thread about your problems using your setup (if you haven't already!). THAT we can try to help with.... (edit: nevermind, you already did!)

LoQ wrote:

TmjTerri wrote:My asthma is so under control now a days that I do not need daily medication. I was talking about not using my rescue inhaler for over 6 months. Also, like I said earlier, I just had a pulminary lung funtion test less then one month ago and it came back perfect. So I am clueless why my pulse ox is like it is.

Asthma can be seasonal, since it is often triggered by allergens. Perhaps that's the clue you are seeking. Did your doctor tell you to stop taking the daily medication, or did you decide to do that because your pulmonary function test was normal? When you had your PFT, were you on daily medication at that time? Just some questions for you to ponder. But I'm sure the doctor will get to the bottom of it.

I have not been on daily medication for my asthma for years now because it is very under control. Those are great questions though. Like I stated before I was just curious if anyone else had this during the day and what was causing it to be low for them. I am a newbie here who knows nothing about nothing and that is why I like to ask questions. I know everyone is different with many different medical needs and low pulse ox could be caused by a number of things. I was not looking for a diagnosis just ideas on why it could be low. My doctor I am sure will figure it out when I see him next. I appreciate the time all of you take to reply to my silly questions.

There are no silly questions here! (well sometimes but then we will tell you ).

We all understand the brainfogged, exhausted, zero memory state that most people arrive here in, so no worries. But it's always good to remember that this forum cannot be a substitute for your own medical professional's advice, nor for your own good judgement.

echo wrote:There are no silly questions here! (well sometimes but then we will tell you ).

We all understand the brainfogged, exhausted, zero memory state that most people arrive here in, so no worries. But it's always good to remember that this forum cannot be a substitute for your own medical professional's advice, nor for your own good judgement.

Thank you for your understanding! I 100% agree that this forum cannot be a subsitute for medical advice. It is just really great that we/I can ask all sorts of questions about all sorts of things and hear other peoples story's. Sometimes I feel like I am all alone but when I come here and post a topic that I am going through it is nice to hear that other people are experiencing the same things as me. Thank you for reminding me that there are no silly questions and for making me feel better that I asked.