Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Low Blood Oxygen Levels?
Question: I had blood taken recently and my blood was very thick and dark color because of lack of oxygen in my blood. I am 67 years old and want you to tell me what are causes the lack of oxygen blood?
Brief Answer:
COPD usually
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
one of the commonest causes of low blood oxygen is COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). This is a chronic disorder of the lungs that causes inadequate oxygenation and inadequate reduction of carbon dioxide in the blood. Other potential causes include bronchial asthma, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, etc.
Evaluating low oxygen depends a lot on the patient's symptoms, so I can't comment more on that. I'll be glad to do so though, if you'd provide more details.
Kind Regards!
COPD usually
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
one of the commonest causes of low blood oxygen is COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). This is a chronic disorder of the lungs that causes inadequate oxygenation and inadequate reduction of carbon dioxide in the blood. Other potential causes include bronchial asthma, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, etc.
Evaluating low oxygen depends a lot on the patient's symptoms, so I can't comment more on that. I'll be glad to do so though, if you'd provide more details.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I know it isn't COPD...what about the medications I take or the vitamin D? What about sleep apnea? Does the blood ever get better on its own?
Brief Answer:
not the drugs or sleep apnea
Detailed Answer:
These drugs cannot possibly do that unless for example they cause a seriously low blood pressure (the anti-hypertensives). Sleep-apnea cannot cause it either. Sleep apnea causes a low oxygen saturation during sleep. It's not supposed to cause low oxygen when you're awake.
How do you know it's not COPD? Have you done spirometry? Do you have symptoms?
not the drugs or sleep apnea
Detailed Answer:
These drugs cannot possibly do that unless for example they cause a seriously low blood pressure (the anti-hypertensives). Sleep-apnea cannot cause it either. Sleep apnea causes a low oxygen saturation during sleep. It's not supposed to cause low oxygen when you're awake.
How do you know it's not COPD? Have you done spirometry? Do you have symptoms?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I've had two blood tests...a month between them...I was señt to a sleep clinic..then told I had sleep apnea....I had a panic attack before and during sleep study..the technician gave me two ambien sleeping pills ..one at 10:00 p.m. Which didn't help...so the technician gave me another ambien at about 11:00 p.m. Finally went to sleep at 11:45p.m. I had to get up and urinate 2 times after I went to sleep..The technician woke me up at 4:45 a.m. To get dressed and leave.. I was a nervous wreck the entire sleep study.. When I was a young child I had asthma...Dur ing the fall The asthma returns.. I know I am not a doctor, but I think you are right..,That it is bronchial asthma....I cough, my upper chest feels tight and I don't have much energy.. During the day when I cough I can feel a thick discharge in the back of my throat ...I have had allergies all my life..
Brief Answer:
could be
Detailed Answer:
The blood tests are not enough to diagnose COPD (or exclude it). The required test is called spirometry. Clinical assessment is very important because COPD is mostly a clinical diagnosis. It could be your asthma, if you used to have attacks as an adult.
If the test you were talking about was done during the sleep study then this is expected for a patient with sleep apnea. If the test was done when you were all right and awake then COPD or asthma are the most likely causes. You should consult a pulmonologist for clinical assessment and spirometry.
Sorry for the delayed answer. There is a huge time difference between our countries!
Kind Regards!
could be
Detailed Answer:
The blood tests are not enough to diagnose COPD (or exclude it). The required test is called spirometry. Clinical assessment is very important because COPD is mostly a clinical diagnosis. It could be your asthma, if you used to have attacks as an adult.
If the test you were talking about was done during the sleep study then this is expected for a patient with sleep apnea. If the test was done when you were all right and awake then COPD or asthma are the most likely causes. You should consult a pulmonologist for clinical assessment and spirometry.
Sorry for the delayed answer. There is a huge time difference between our countries!
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
