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Original poster

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

602 replies

theviewfromhalfwaydown · 18/02/2021 11:01

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.

OP posts:
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17
WreckTangled · 21/02/2021 16:25

Yep I'm still none the wiser Confused

longestlurkerever · 21/02/2021 16:27

That's even worse than the previous info! It may be right or wrong

doireallyneedaname · 21/02/2021 16:28

Partha Kar had clarified.

Just received a shielding letter but no one knows why!!
minipie · 21/02/2021 16:34

My interpretation of the update

  • there’s a bunch of women whose records wrongly read as current diabetes instead of past GD
  • there’s a bunch of women with past GD who haven’t had regular annual checks for t2 diabetes so we are assuming they may have developed T2
  • there’s a bunch of women whose BMI we don’t know, and the system defaults to a BMI of 31 if BMI unknown (I read this elsewhere)

So if any of these factors are incorrect for you ... your shielding notice may be wrong ... but you’ll need to speak to your GP (and possibly have a T2 diabetes check if you’ve not had one for years) to sort this out

doireallyneedaname · 21/02/2021 16:34

Blimey.

Just received a shielding letter but no one knows why!!
minipie · 21/02/2021 16:50

Yes but what are “other risk factors”?

For example I have past GD and hypothyroid and PCOS. Hypothyroid/PCOS aren’t risk factors as far as I know, but I’m not sure if they are under the new wider algorithm?

We don’t know all the risk factors that the algorithm has taken into account?

Happyelfjokeday · 21/02/2021 16:50

So if you’ve had the HB1a (or whatever the right acronym is!) recently and it was all clear; and if no other known risk factors, then there’s nothing to say you’d be higher risk, and therefore no need to shield?

minipie · 21/02/2021 16:52

Yep Happyelfjokeday correct according to Partha Kar

But has there been a published list of all the other risk factors that Qcovid has taken into account?

WreckTangled · 21/02/2021 16:52

@Happyelfjokeday

So if you’ve had the HB1a (or whatever the right acronym is!) recently and it was all clear; and if no other known risk factors, then there’s nothing to say you’d be higher risk, and therefore no need to shield?
That's how I read it (hba1c Smile)
NeedsImprovement01 · 21/02/2021 16:55

@Happyelfjokeday

So if you’ve had the HB1a (or whatever the right acronym is!) recently and it was all clear; and if no other known risk factors, then there’s nothing to say you’d be higher risk, and therefore no need to shield?
I think it says that, but reading other comments they are also trying to avoid a rush of patients demanding an update Hba1c. However if you haven't had one in the last year it would seem sensible!
doireallyneedaname · 21/02/2021 16:55

@minipie the bmj paper shows that the risk factors it uses are the ones on the calculator itself. If it turns out they’re also accounting for smokers, blood type etc then that would be a different story. I don’t think they are though, based on what I’ve read.

IsadoraMoon · 21/02/2021 16:55

There is a list of all the other risk factors somewhere in the guidance, it is possible you might have another one without realising /or considering it to be a risk factor) e.g mental health. What does this mean about priority for vaccines I wonder..?

minipie · 21/02/2021 16:57

[quote doireallyneedaname]@minipie the bmj paper shows that the risk factors it uses are the ones on the calculator itself. If it turns out they’re also accounting for smokers, blood type etc then that would be a different story. I don’t think they are though, based on what I’ve read.[/quote]
Ok if it’s just those then yes people should be able to “self assess” using the calculator- IF they’ve had a recent Hb1ac

Covidcorvid · 21/02/2021 16:59

[quote CometCupidDonnerBlitzen]@Covidcorvid That was my understanding too. I actually had an appointment for a different reason but decided to ask on the end of the call for a clarification on what group I was in presuming they would say 6. I know my BMI will look lower on their records but they just weren't interested in listening to me. She told me "there is nothing flagged for you, you aren't at any increased risk". So I asked "even with a current BMI over 40 and a history of GD" and she assured me no. Obviously I know that's wrong having read on here. We've had ongoing problems with this surgery during the pandemic and will look at changing once this has blown over.[/quote]
Yeah that’s pretty rubbish if the gp can’t read the bullet point list on the govt website and get it right. Not like you’re asking about some obscure illness.

Happyelfjokeday · 21/02/2021 17:10

Feeling glad I remembered to get my blood test late last year (had forgotten the year before). The self assessment on the Qcovid website was pretty easy to use so hopefully anyone who is in doubt can get some clarity now and make an informed decision on what to do

Itisasecret · 21/02/2021 17:12

I didn’t get a shielding letter, I’ve never had a hbac1 either. So......

Bluebolt · 21/02/2021 17:16

Three gestational diabetes pregnancy, never knew about annual testing. Learn something new everyday.

Beepbopadooda · 21/02/2021 17:17

My GP said the reason for my shielding was previous GD and I had an OVER active thyroid just after I gave birth 2 years ago. Both things now irrelevant (I have an Underactive Thyroid now and HBa1c was perfect). Essentially an admin error. Just waiting for my jab!

CometCupidDonnerBlitzen · 21/02/2021 17:34

Unsure what to do at this point as I've already followed through and had the first jab. I was shocked I could book it for today so did, I only got the letter yesterday. It's not like I would have been able to speak to a doctor about it anyway without pretending I had another ailment.

I presume I just carry on now and have the 2nd jab in May.

To be fair I've not been checked for type 2 in well over a year but there's no way I'll be offered a test at the moment.

minipie · 21/02/2021 17:35

Comet I’m the same. Yes I am sure they will want us to have the second jab in May. I will also get the test done but not right now when they will be so busy!

WreckTangled · 21/02/2021 17:36

I think the vaccine will be fine. If you've received a letter and not booked it you can still book it and if you've had your first you'll can the second as and when you should

Pomegranatespompom · 21/02/2021 17:42

Is there any information about shielding when you have both doses ?

FoxtrotSkarloey · 21/02/2021 17:45

So it's not as clear as I'd like, but from what I can tell, with previous GD and a BMI of 34 I SHOULD be worried, but still haven't even had a letter or email ☹️

Itisasecret · 21/02/2021 17:48

Where is this updated advice is it Twitter? Or NHS?

Bexily · 21/02/2021 17:56

@Itisasecret

Where is this updated advice is it Twitter? Or NHS?
It's on NHS digital.

Does anybody know if a high BMI on it's own is enough to have to shield or do other factors come into it?

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