Normal Oxygen Levels Using a Pulse Oximeter

Healthcare providers often need to know how well your lungs are functioning in transferring oxygen to your blood. Cells, tissues and organs need oxygen to function, and lack of it can cause a host of complications throughout your body. While testing arterial blood gives an accurate reading of blood oxygenation, pulse oximetry provides a less invasive, painless way to measure oxygen levels.

How Pulse Oximetry Works

Pulse oximeters measure the amount of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in arterial blood, which carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Each molecule of hemoglobin -- a protein within the red blood cell -- carries 4 molecules of oxygen. When all molecules of hemoglobin are carrying 4 molecules of oxygen, the oxygen saturation level is 100 percent. Oxygenated hemoglobin absorbs more infrared light and deoxygenated blood more red light. A photodetector opposite the light emitter on the pulse oximeter receives the light and calculates the ratio of red to infrared light, which gives the oxygen saturation percentage.

Normal Levels

Disadvantages of Pulse Oximetry

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In a healthy person, oxygen saturation levels in arterial blood fall between 95 and 100 percent, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 3. A reading below 95 percent in a healthy person with normal lung function indicates low oxygen levels in the blood, a condition medically termed hypoxemia that requires medical investigation.

Oxygen saturation levels less than 90 percent should be considered a medical emergency, WHO advises. Symptoms of hypoxemia, including cyanosis, or a bluish coloring to the skin and mucus membranes, aren't evident until oxygen saturation falls below 90 percent. Early signs of poor oxygenation include rapid or difficult breathing, unexplained restlessness, apprehension or confusion.

Causes of Abnormal Levels

Many disorders can cause lower-than-normal pulse oximeter readings, including health disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. Acute respiratory disorders such as asthma attacks, pneumonia or a blood clot in the lung also cause low pulse oximeter readings.

Low readings not related to lung disorders can occur in people with impaired circulation, such as those with very low blood pressure or circulatory disorders that affect blood flow to the pulse oximeter site. Low hemoglobin levels, or anemia, can also affect pulse oximetry. Artificially low levels can be seen in people with dark skin, thick nails or cold extremities.

Proper Use of Pulse Oximetry

How to Use a Finger Pulse Oximeter

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Pulse oximeters are fairly easy to use, both in the hospital setting and at home. The probe, which contains the infrared and red light emitters, can be placed on any area of the body that is translucent enough for the signal to pass through and with adequate arterial blood flow. While the toes or a finger are often used, the earlobe or even the bridge of the nose can be used if circulation to the fingers or toes is poor. The pulse oximeter is generally set to alarm if the oxygen saturation level drops below a set value. The alarm parameters can be reset as necessary.

Reviewed by: Tina M. St. John, M.D.