What should dr be doing next to follow up on diagnosis for low oxy. only tested !


Question:

What should dr be doing next to follow up on diagnosis for low oxy. only tested me for night time/apnea.?


Answers:

I'm not sure I understand your question. Do you only have low oxygen at night or during the day, too? How low was your oxygen?

In general, low oxygen in the blood (hypoxemia) is caused by problems with the lungs/breathing or the heart/circulation. Also, less commonly, the test can be affected by problems with hemoglobin or not breathing enough oxygen (such as at high altitudes).

I don't know exactly what your doctor has done so far, so I will just comment in general. The doctor should probably do a thorough history and physical exam, to see if there are any clues that could point to one of the general causes I listed. If so, that will guide his/her testing. If not, he/she needs to keep looking for the cause, probably starting with the lungs. Low oxygen is not normal (although it depends on what you are calling low). If you think your doctor has run out of ideas already, you might see another doctor instead (a pulmonologist would be ideal, but an internist or family practitioner should be able to help, too). Good luck, and I hope it's nothing serious.




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