My friend has an oxygen tester (clamps on finger) that she has on her at all times to check her oxygen level - she's on full time oxygen. Yesterday several of us were sitting around and we all took a turn at checking our oxygen level. Everyone elses was high 90's except mine which was 86% (I checked it twice). Now my husband & friends think I should see a doctor about this. I am 71 years old & I am quite fatigued on occasion and have a chronic cough that I've had for several years & I do have regular check-ups but don't ever remember having my oxygen level checked. Should I be concerned?
The normal range for the percentage of oxygenated hemoglobin in blood is 95 to 100%. Your low value may have been due to respiratory insufficiency as you mentioned that you have had a chronic cough for several years.