Hello I Have Limb Girdle 2E Muscular Dystrophy And I

Posted on Wed, 4 Dec 2019

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Wed, 4 Dec 2019 Answered on

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Question : Hello I have Limb Girdle 2E Muscular Dystrophy and I am a 30 years old female. I recently did blood gas testing and my Co2 was 32. My blood oxygen was 95, everything looked great but they said my PO2 was concerningly low at 68. I am constantly belching. But otherwise I feel pretty healthy and I sleep well every night, and do not feel short of breath. Looking for opinions or thoughts on what I could be facing. Thanks in advance.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!

I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to low pulmonary function.

For this reason, I would recommend performing pulmonary function tests in order to be sure that everything is OK.

Considering your the muscular dystrophy, I would also recommend performing a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound. Periodical follow up with cardiac ultrasound, resting and pulmonary function tests every year is recommendable in your clinical situation.

Hope to have been helpful!

I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!

Wishing good health,

Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (19 minutes later)

Ok thank you, how serious low is 68 for PO2 level, and what would possibly be done to make it go up? Is it a reading that varies frequently or does it stay fairly steady?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Your PO2 is not too low, considering the normal ranges are above 80. But, I think that these values are quite variable.

Anyway, usually in patients with muscular dystrophy, lung disorders are usually associated to high PCO2 levels , which increase first.

For this reason, a lung X ray study and pulmonary function tests are necessary.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.

Wishing all the best,

Dr. Iliri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar