Page 13 | Just received a shielding letter but no one knows why!!

theviewfromhalfwaydown · 2021-02-18T11:01:59+00:00

I’m freaking out a bit that there’s something wrong with me I don’t know about. I received a shielding letter but have no idea why I have it. I’m slightly overweight but haven’t been weighed by a dr in 10years and that was just after I’d given birth to my youngest. I have no underlying health conditions I know about and I’m only 38. All I can think of is that I had gestational diabetes but that was years ago. I’ve already had the first jab as I work in healthcare but I’m worried they know something I don’t. I’m not going to shield as I don’t think I need to and I want to work but it’s still thrown me quite a bit.

Monsterpage · 19/02/2021 08:35

My letter came by email yesterday at about 11am. As chance had it I was actually in hospital having had some tests and waiting to see the consultant. I got the email and thought the consultant had updated some records and that the appt I was about to have with her was going to be very bad news!!! Of course when I went in to her I asked and she looked very blank - said it was nothing to do with her and told me to speak to my GP. Which I have t done as I found this post.
I received the text asking me about the vaccine about 8pm last night so am booked in for next week. Yay!

doireallyneedaname · 19/02/2021 08:38

@Monsterpage Did you have gestational diabetes too?

Monsterpage · 19/02/2021 08:49

@doireallyneedaname yes I did have GD about 9 years ago. I also lived in an inner London borough at the time. Have since moved out but wonder if that has something to do with it.
I have just (yesterday been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes) plus a raft of other issues. So am delighted to have the vaccine invite as I am slightly terrified about my health today.

doireallyneedaname · 19/02/2021 08:52

@Monsterpage Yes I bet! That’s great news. I am curious if perhaps you are a great example of why a previous GD diagnosis is a risk factor, as like you say you were diagnosed with type 2 just yesterday. I am sure a significant percentage of people are walking around with type 2 unknowingly as the risk is increased significant”6 after GD.

IFinishedTheBiscuits · 19/02/2021 09:05

I am still totally confused, it was a shock to get the letter yesterday. I thought it was a scam email at first. I had GD 5 years ago and am part ethnic minority. It appears some people have been told that it is an error due to previous GD not being closed off on records, but others have been told that it is correct, and due to current risk of having had GD in the past? I have emailed my GP but so confused.

Monsterpage · 19/02/2021 09:09

@doireallyneedaname interestingly when I approached my doctor a year after my son was born to ask for my annual HBA1C test he told me that “we don’t do that any more - the guidance has changed”. I contacted the unit at the hospital that had treated me who told me I really did need to have it and they wrote him a letter. He agreed to give me 1 test, which was fine and refused for the following years.
When I moved I mentioned it again and my new GP was of the same opinion so I never got one. Wish I’d insisted now.

doireallyneedaname · 19/02/2021 09:12

@Monsterpage Those GP’s should be sacked.

IsadoraMoon · 19/02/2021 09:14

@IFinishedTheBiscuits

I am still totally confused, it was a shock to get the letter yesterday. I thought it was a scam email at first. I had GD 5 years ago and am part ethnic minority. It appears some people have been told that it is an error due to previous GD not being closed off on records, but others have been told that it is correct, and due to current risk of having had GD in the past? I have emailed my GP but so confused.

I am exactly the same as you, part ethnic minority and GD 4.5 years ago. Normal BMI but I think the GC plus being ethnic minority might = two risk factors. Let me know if you hear back from your GP

Monsterpage · 19/02/2021 09:15

I’m fairly articulate but faced with a GP who refuses to do something you feel fairly helpless. Plus when they say the guidance has changed you feel fairly stupid for pushing an issue - especially when we know guidance and rules do change fairly rapidly.
I won’t make that mistake again!

WreckTangled · 19/02/2021 09:21

@Monsterpage

I’m fairly articulate but faced with a GP who refuses to do something you feel fairly helpless. Plus when they say the guidance has changed you feel fairly stupid for pushing an issue - especially when we know guidance and rules do change fairly rapidly. I won’t make that mistake again!

The NICE guidelines are available, you can print them off and write to the practice manager. I've only ever had brilliant care from my GP and I get so mad seeing people not get the same

IFinishedTheBiscuits · 19/02/2021 09:21

I will do IsadoraMoon, I am normal BMI I think as well. I'm currently oscillating between thinking I need to turn down the vaccine offer because I was added to the list accidentally, and a feeling of impending doom because I didn't know I was extremely vulnerable! (I think I will lay off the biscuits today though... I haven't used this account for years, I wish I'd changed my username first!!)

NeedsImprovement01 · 19/02/2021 09:23

From what I can gather from this and other threads (not just mumsnet) GPs are making educated guesses as to the reason ladies have been added to shielding list, hence inconsistencies in approach (some ladies told it is an error others told it isn't). There does not appear to have been official confirmation of whether historic GD is a risk factor or not. It is not impossible that something "dormant" is a risk factor, after all there are many cases of seemingly healthy individuals getting very ill. However I am sure individual risk is still very low so no one should panic and hopefully official confirmation will come shortly.

It is in my opinion most likely it is an error, but it is not impossible it is genuine.

doireallyneedaname · 19/02/2021 09:30

@NeedsImprovement01 Possibly. Perhaps a link between whatever “awakens” GD in an individual also “awakening” worse Covid.

I don’t think previous GD by itself is classed though, I think it has to be a combination of at least a few factors. BMI especially.

doireallyneedaname · 19/02/2021 09:38

Well, I’m booked in for my jab next week 🤷‍♀️

longestlurkerever · 19/02/2021 09:44

I think I had Covid in march 2020. I had to go to hospital because I kept fainting/feeling confused - it felt blood sugar related - like shock -and I was mainlining sugar sweets. I was thoroughly checked out by hospital and other than extremely high blood pressure I was fine, including blood sugars. It passed quickly and I was ok after that. They didn't admit me so I didn't get a Covid test because they were so ridiculously limited at the time. I didn't have the classic symptoms - slightly tight chest but no cough or fever. Dh had slightly more classic symptoms but also no test. A mystery really.

IsadoraMoon · 19/02/2021 09:45

@IFinishedTheBiscuits

I will do IsadoraMoon, I am normal BMI I think as well. I'm currently oscillating between thinking I need to turn down the vaccine offer because I was added to the list accidentally, and a feeling of impending doom because I didn't know I was extremely vulnerable! (I think I will lay off the biscuits today though... I haven't used this account for years, I wish I'd changed my username first!!)

Ha ha! 😂Yes I feel just the same. Baked a big batch of cookies last night with my girls and now feel like I shouldn't eat one!! I've actually already had Covid too so I don't think I am in urgent need of a vaccine at this point although I will obviously take one if I'm offered!

bumblenbean · 19/02/2021 09:48

@doireallyneedaname how did you book? I’ve heard nothing from GP and 119 said I’m not on the system as eligible yet as it may take a while

FlossyJones · 19/02/2021 09:49

Should we be able to book the vaccine through the central booking system now, or is an invite more likely to come via our GP? Anyone been advised?

HereComesATractor · 19/02/2021 09:55

I have also had an email - previous diet-controlled GDM (in first pregnancy, but no GDM in second pregnancy). My GP invites me for an annual HbA1C which so far has always been normal. Normal BMI, not minority ethnic, not in an area with high number of cases or high risk population. I’ll wait for further information about whether there is an actual increased risk or whether I’ve been caught up in advice for currently active GDM pregnancies

doireallyneedaname · 19/02/2021 09:57

@bumblenbean I had the same but I called GP again this morning and they referred me to the local booking service for our area - they are doing the bookings for about 20 different surgeries.

They had no problem finding my updated records and booked me in.

TheWristBoundLatexBitch · 19/02/2021 12:50

.

Just received a shielding letter but no one knows why!!

IFinishedTheBiscuits · 19/02/2021 13:59

It seems it is right that gestational diabetes has been added to the shielding list, this page has been updated: digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/risk-assessment/population

longestlurkerever · 19/02/2021 14:01

Not a mistake! Yikes that's a shock. Are you all going to shield?

AngeloMysterioso · 19/02/2021 14:13

It was discussed on the Jeremy Vine show a little while ago

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_two starts at about 12:08

wonderstuff123 · 19/02/2021 14:14

Update : I've had my vaccine just now as my doctor gave me a link for my local partnership trust to book yesterday after I called them about the email. I had my shielding email ready but didn't ask to see it. I think it prob helps that our area put out a plea on Monday for people to come forward as the uptake was quite low and our trusts are already vaccinating group 6.