
What Causes Low Oxygen Level In Blood While Sleeping?

Question: Low oxygen levels when I sleep. Levels re 84 and up. What is the level I need to take oxygen? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Blood Oxygen saturation (SPO2 ) of 88%
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
The standard recommendation for home oxygen therapy is the blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) of less than 88 %.
So if your Oxygen saturation is 84 % you should be on Oxygen to keep the SPO2 above 88%. So it is advisable for your to be on oxygen continuously when asleep.
Blood Oxygen saturation (SPO2 ) of 88%
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thanks for your query.
The standard recommendation for home oxygen therapy is the blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) of less than 88 %.
So if your Oxygen saturation is 84 % you should be on Oxygen to keep the SPO2 above 88%. So it is advisable for your to be on oxygen continuously when asleep.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


84 was a one time thing. Has not been that low since. I take medication, 50 mg.
metoprol, 160 mg valsartan, 10mg amlodipine due to a accident almost two years ago. Would that make any difference? Thank you
metoprol, 160 mg valsartan, 10mg amlodipine due to a accident almost two years ago. Would that make any difference? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Better to avoid beta-blockers
Detailed Answer:
Do you have COPD? What is the diagnosis and reason for low SPO2?
Metoprolol is a beta-blockers which may narrow the bronchopulmonary air passages and can produce a drop in SPO2 in susceptible people.
If possible you could have a 24-hour pulse oximetry monitoring done, it would give us information as to how low the SPO2 goes down and for how long.
Better to avoid beta-blockers
Detailed Answer:
Do you have COPD? What is the diagnosis and reason for low SPO2?
Metoprolol is a beta-blockers which may narrow the bronchopulmonary air passages and can produce a drop in SPO2 in susceptible people.
If possible you could have a 24-hour pulse oximetry monitoring done, it would give us information as to how low the SPO2 goes down and for how long.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


No I do not have COPD. I do not know why the doctor put me on metoprol.
I never was bothered with this until I started taking this medications. I do
have a pulse oximetry. I will wear it for 24 hour period . Thank you
I never was bothered with this until I started taking this medications. I do
have a pulse oximetry. I will wear it for 24 hour period . Thank you
Brief Answer:
Please let me know the pulse oximetry result
Detailed Answer:
Metoprolol is commonly used for the treatment of high blood pressure.
If your blood pressure is high another medicine that doesn't affect the air passages will require to be used.
Let me know whether you have any other disease and I can suggest a medicine for blood pressure.
Take care
Please let me know the pulse oximetry result
Detailed Answer:
Metoprolol is commonly used for the treatment of high blood pressure.
If your blood pressure is high another medicine that doesn't affect the air passages will require to be used.
Let me know whether you have any other disease and I can suggest a medicine for blood pressure.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


If the oxygen level goes down and not stays low and comes back up is that a problem and how long a time is bad? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Depends on the number of low oxygen episodes/hour
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
If the Oxygen saturation doesn't remain low for less than 8 seconds, it doesn't matter.
If it stays more than 8 seconds it is considered a hypoxic episode . If there are more than 5 episodes per hour it is considered significant and the severity increases with the number of such episodes per hour.
Please let me know the result of your pulse oximetry analysis.
Depends on the number of low oxygen episodes/hour
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
If the Oxygen saturation doesn't remain low for less than 8 seconds, it doesn't matter.
If it stays more than 8 seconds it is considered a hypoxic episode . If there are more than 5 episodes per hour it is considered significant and the severity increases with the number of such episodes per hour.
Please let me know the result of your pulse oximetry analysis.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


I have 2 oximetries. One just fits on my finger and the other one is to wear over
night or for a 8 hour or so. One over night is not the same as the one for just the finger. There s several numbers difference and the long term is always lower. Is that normal or is it a problem? Thank you
night or for a 8 hour or so. One over night is not the same as the one for just the finger. There s several numbers difference and the long term is always lower. Is that normal or is it a problem? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Find out which is correct
Detailed Answer:
Both oximeters would show the same value if both are working well.
If there is a difference you should check which one is correct by comparing to an oximeter at a healthcare facility which is standardised and correct.
Find out which is correct
Detailed Answer:
Both oximeters would show the same value if both are working well.
If there is a difference you should check which one is correct by comparing to an oximeter at a healthcare facility which is standardised and correct.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


Bought a new oximeter and it registers same level of oxygen as the old one. The over night registers 2-3 degrees lower than the other two. Thank you
Brief Answer:
So your overnight monitor level may go upto 85%
Detailed Answer:
That's ok.
If your overnight monitoring shows oxygen saturation below 85% for periods lasting more than 8 seconds only is there a need to consider home oxygen therapy.
Wish you good health and a great day
So your overnight monitor level may go upto 85%
Detailed Answer:
That's ok.
If your overnight monitoring shows oxygen saturation below 85% for periods lasting more than 8 seconds only is there a need to consider home oxygen therapy.
Wish you good health and a great day
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Answered by

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
