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I am trying to understand the difference between a pulse oximeter reading and the hemoglobin value on a blood test. Both seem related to oxygen, but they clearly are not the same measurement.
If someone has low hemoglobin but a fingertip device displays an oxygen saturation of 98%, what does that percentage actually describe? Could the reading look normal even when the blood’s total oxygen-carrying capacity is reduced?
I am asking about the physiology, not whether a home device can diagnose a particular person. An explanation of oxygen saturation versus oxygen content in plain language would help me understand why clinicians might order a complete blood count despite a reassuring oximeter number.
