BMI 38 - would you say I am “clinically vulnerable“?

[Lemons1571]

My medical records show I am BMI 40+ after a GP insisted on weighing me a few years ago. The gp practice starting texting me about a free flu jab soon after this, presumably because of the BMI result (no one has ever confirmed or explained that though). So, at that time years ago, I would have fitted into the current government definition of “clinically vulnerable” for covid.

Anyway fast forward to now, my employer has asked all staff to let them know if you’re clinically vulnerable, as part of their new coronavirus policy. They are a good employer so it’s not designed to furlough or make anyone redundant. I measured my BMI this morning on the nhs calculator, did my exact height in cm and exact weight to the nearest pound. It came out as BMI 38. I have been cutting down a bit so maybe that’s why, first time I’ve weighed myself in ages.

So now I don’t know if I’m classed as “clinically vulnerable” or not. I have no other health conditions on the clinically vulnerable list on gov.uk

I’ve emailed the gp surgery to ask, but they’re busy and I’m not actually ill, so it could take a while for them to get back to me.

What do you think?

This is very confusing. It seems you’ve lost weight and your BMI is heading in a positive direction for your health. That’s a good thing.

You don’t tick any of the boxes for being vulnerable. Also a good thing. So say no.

Your insurance company does not need you to declare that you have a BMI of 40 if you don't. At most, if you wanted to be completely covered, you'd say "previous BMI>40".

Is this an echo chamber?

No you are not BMI 40.

Would you be asking if your BMI was down to 25?

I have a colleague who is morbidly obese. Whilst I appreciate your not, he's already been told he should be shielding. I think unless you're in this position already, you need to state you can return to work. If your GP then contacts you and confirms you should stay at home, you can contact your employer again to update.

If you're honest with yourself, do you actually want to put yourself down as vulnerable?

No definitely not. Quite the opposite.

@YahBasic no. Would be quite happy to return to the office.

Would you be asking if your BMI was down to 25?

No. But it would be obvious to all that I’m no longer BMI 40+ and no longer obese. Whereas my drop from 40-38, well I’m not sure it’s even a drop - the GP didn’t measure my height, and took my weight after I’d eaten lunch with winter clothes and coat on.

Most recent fasting glucose 3 years ago was 5.3mmol. God that’s a bit nearer the limit than I’d like. Might go away and worry about that now

@ifonly4 we’re all working from home and there are no plans for us to return to the office.

Your weight isn’t a legal classification! 🙄

Of course you’re not clinically vulnerable.

I wonder if actually you’d quite like to be thought of as vulnerable by work so you can stay WFH a little longer.

I have to declare BMI 40+ because it’s on my medical records

No, you really don’t.

This is making a mockery of people who really are vulnerable.

You do want to be on this list and you were hoping you’d get a thread of people to legitimise you.

I think you need to confirm with your GP as to WHY they offer you the flu jab - you say in your OP that you THINK it's for BMI 40+ but you're not sure. Sorry I find that baffling and you may now not be eligible for the flu jab.

You need to make sure your medical records are correct.

@Tippexy but I don’t want to be on the list. There’s no benefit that I can see? We’re all wfh and the directors have no plans to change this. I am happy to return when they decide it’s safe. I just want all the eggs everywhere in a row!

@Deelish75 yes I agree, I did touch on this in my email to them. I’ve never taken the nhs up on a free flu jab, as my employer pays for one via a voucher.

I have spent all day talking to people who are actually on this critically vulnerable list, or are living with people on it as well as those on the extremely vulnerable list.

Every single one wishes that they were not. It was so utterly sad listening to people that desperately want to go back to work to some degree or rejoin society even in a controlled manner.

Once again, you are not on the list at BMI 40. Moreover, you only just made it after a large lunch and in winter clothing.

@TSSDNCOP my employers corona policy has been updated to include different guidance on both “extremely clinically vulnerable“ (which I am not) and “clinically vulnerable” (which I was worried I might be classed as, but am relieved that I’m not).

I’m a bit of a workaholic tbh. I feel gutted for those who want to go back but can’t because of shielding.

yes I agree, I did touch on this in my email to them. I’ve never taken the nhs up on a free flu jab, as my employer pays for one via a voucher.

I would push them on it (maybe not at the moment) because, speaking from experience, you don't want something that's untrue on your medical records.

You don’t have a BMI of 40 so are not clinically vulnerable.
Although, as I side note, I believe anyone with that level of BMI should be.
I would really try nd get that right down. It is not healthy

Your BMI is not 40 though

Its not untrue to have it on your records, you did have a BMI of 40+ but that was several years ago. You dont just randomly go off a weight from years ago ffs

I’m a bit agog at this whole thing,

So I guess legally I’m still classed as BMI 40+.

Op, how can you possibly think there is a legal thing, weight goes up and down, it’s not permanent. There is no legality about it. You were forty now your 38. No one has to prove it. It won’t invalidate any insurance claim, because who the hell can prove you weren’t 38 at the time?

Honestly I’m really struggling to believe you could genuinely think like this.

No you’re not vulnerable, there is no legal or medical definition. Weight changes, it goes up and down and it does not matter what’s in your records, doctors don’t think weight is static and you need to prove you have lost or gained weight.

I’m not even sure you believe what youre posting. Legally a bmi of 40

I would push them on it (maybe not at the moment) because, speaking from experience, you don't want something that's untrue on your medical records

Yes I will. I didn’t know they’d put that on my medical record until months later when I applied for my notes as part of an insurance application.

You are being ridiculous. You have weighed yourself and your BMI is not in the 40+ range so naturally you would not 'go by what is in your medical records'. Most people's weight, blood pressure etc in their records will be different to what it might be now. It seems like you might want to be recorded as being 'vulnerable'. Why?

I'm in almost the exact same situation. I've had the flu because my BMI was over 40 . I dropped some weight about 8 months ago and have stayed at BMI 37 since but it is by no means certain I won't go above that again, although I am obviously trying not to.

The thing is I imagine there will be not much sympathy I'd the reason for vulnerability is your BMI. I sympathise

It wasn’t untrue at the time, for gods sake it’s weight. You can’t go back and change your weight and say I wasn’t that at that time, she was. It’s factually correct.

The fact she’s now not is irrelevant, it doesn’t need a doctors verification.

All you do is work out your bmi if it’s plus forty you say yes vulnerable if it’s not, you say no. You don’t need to be getting your doctor to validate it.,!

I have a BMI of 40 and have been advised by my GP to very stringently social distance until it comes down to 35 - so about three stone away .

I’m not employed currently though and suspect my GP would say different if I were . GP said she is less concerned as I’m not diabetic, pre diabetic, no asthma or known CHD etc . I’m 28 too so maybe age on my side . I do have PCOS .

Friend has a BMI of around 45 as do two relatives - all three of them are still working full time in care and prison sector ...

If your BMI is 38 I wouldn’t tell them . I can’t see it making any difference tbh unless your doctor told you different .

Flu jab not flu ffs

@Bluntness100 when I log in to my (much summarised) medical records on the app that the gp surgery recommend, it’s right there at the top of the current conditions section. “BMI 40+ morbidly obese”. So I’m thinking, oh shit if I don’t disclose this, someone could look at me and think yes she’s pretty big, definitely non disclosure.

(occupational health, travel insurers, whoever)

Bumbling you’d be surprised, the (few) people I’ve told have been very, very kind and understanding . I’d sincerely hope most folk would be the same .

@lesbihonest

That is interesting. I didn't speak to my GP.as he irritates the life out of me.as everything so see him about , he tells.me to lose weight but I had set myself the target of getting under a BMI of 31. I think it makes you class 1 obsess instead of class 2