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Original poster

Recent notice to shield (Feb 2021) and history of gestational diabetes

367 replies

HelloViroids · 18/02/2021 13:28

This has popped up on a few other threads and had blindsided me today so thought I’d make a thread in case others want to discuss.

I had gestational diabetes but have since been tested for type 2 diabetes and don’t have it. I know my risk of type 2 is increased though. I’ve now have notice to shield and (separately) link to book vaccine.

I have no other significant risk factors (overweight but not obese, ethnicity more risky - but NOT asthma or any other respiratory conditions or similar), so I am assuming the GD must be the reason I am now being treated as CEV. Someone pointed out on another thread that gestational diabetes is a factor in the algorithm being used to add people to the list (digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/risk-assessment) - but I had thought that would be current GD not historic?!

Just wondered if anyone else has been surprised by this - or if anyone has had GD but NOT been told to shield? I wasn’t expecting lockdown to get worse at this point Sad

OP posts:
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bumblenbean · 21/02/2021 21:22

@minipie I really hope you’re right! It would seem ridiculous but you never know ... I’m wondering if I should not arrange a Hba1c test until after I’ve had the second dose? Or is that just ridiculous? I also feel a bit guilty that I might have had the jab wrongly (albeit unknowingly) ahead of other more vulnerable people ... although those of us who haven’t had a recent test don’t know that we haven’t developed T2 I suppose

GoneCrazy · 21/02/2021 22:25

They won’t cancel jabs - if you look at nhs website having had GD is part of the calculation it wasn’t put there by accident

Horizons83 · 21/02/2021 23:03

Not a chance they will cancel second jabs. Think about it.. those who are not a priority but rocked up to their local centre as there were spares going are still on the list for their second jab!

YukoandHiro · 22/02/2021 00:18

@bumblenbean it's not a mistake - past or active GD is now recognised as a risk factor putting patients into category 6. The advice to shield is a precaution but a sign how important the new data about GD and a history of insulin resistance is.

YukoandHiro · 22/02/2021 00:21

Agree with @TheWristBoundLatexBitch / had it this morning and I'm feeling utterly shocking now. Like I've got full flu. But at least it's working

Midlifephoenix · 22/02/2021 00:22

I'm type 1 diabetic and 58. No letter. No letter or text to get a vaccine either.

bumblenbean · 22/02/2021 00:50

@YukoandHiro it’s been clarified that a history of GD alone, with no other risk factors, does not require shielding of your subsequent blood sugars have been ok

Recent notice to shield (Feb 2021) and history of gestational diabetes
YukoandHiro · 22/02/2021 01:42

I'm not taking the risk. Glad I had the first jab.

Ramdogs · 22/02/2021 10:24

Notified of ECV last week. No follow ups at all since GD 6 years ago...GP text this morning asking for current height and weight but they need to check my bloods before reviewing this don't they?

FoxtrotSkarloey · 22/02/2021 10:32

@Ramdogs I don't think they would need recent bloods, because I think the conclusion from yesterday's update on Twitter (of all places) was that previous GD plus a high BMI was sufficient to warrant ECV.

Ramdogs · 22/02/2021 10:41

Thanks @FoxtrotSkarloey . I've read the Twitter from Partha but couldn't see where he said that, or find anything on the NHS digital website. High BMI or obese do you know? My bloods have never been done since birth, I didn't realise GD had ongoing risks and feel a bit nervous about that alone.

FoxtrotSkarloey · 22/02/2021 10:44

No idea @Ramdogs I couldn't work it out! I assume your GP will have that info 🤷‍♀️

I'm also feeling very exposed at the mo - haven't had any notification and doing my best not to let it get to me, but after the past year of upheaval, just when I thought the end might be in sight, suddenly I feel like I'm in the worst position I've been in so far.

It sounds like your GP is on the case, which is a good thing.

Ramdogs · 22/02/2021 10:51

Yeah they're obviously trying to update records but still don't seem interested in doing a hba1c.

I hope you feel better soon.

Inkpaperstars · 22/02/2021 10:51

Has anyone who is currently pregnant with GD decided to get the jab? I have been told to shield and have had an invitation to book the jab but I don’t what to do, I was planning to not have the jab until after delivery...then was surprised by recent developments and getting an invite Confused

minipie · 22/02/2021 11:02

[quote FoxtrotSkarloey]@Ramdogs I don't think they would need recent bloods, because I think the conclusion from yesterday's update on Twitter (of all places) was that previous GD plus a high BMI was sufficient to warrant ECV. [/quote]
I thought the view was that if you haven’t had recent bloods then you have to err on the side of caution and treat as if you have T2? In which case T2 (or assumed T2) plus high BMI would be enough?

Whereas if you have had recent clear bloods (or can get a blood test asap), you know you haven’t got T2, and high BMI isn’t enough on its own, so can ignore letter?

I am confused Confused

IFinishedTheBiscuits · 22/02/2021 11:28

I've just had a call from practice manager at GP surgery. I was worried that they'd tell me I shouldn't have had jab before getting the invite (although website says it's OK to book once you get CEV notice). He said he had looked at my record and had no idea why I'd been flagged (although I mentioned previous GD, no checks for 4 years and ethnicity) but he was happy that I'd had first jab. I guess it removes some of the risk for them.

YukoandHiro · 22/02/2021 12:05

@Inkpaperstars i would speak to your diabetic midwife about that

minipie · 22/02/2021 12:26

@IFinishedTheBiscuits

I've just had a call from practice manager at GP surgery. I was worried that they'd tell me I shouldn't have had jab before getting the invite (although website says it's OK to book once you get CEV notice). He said he had looked at my record and had no idea why I'd been flagged (although I mentioned previous GD, no checks for 4 years and ethnicity) but he was happy that I'd had first jab. I guess it removes some of the risk for them.
Yes, it means there isn’t such a hurry to get you your Hbac1 blood test, as you’ve acted as if you had T2 anyway.

Though do get it done at some point of course!

Bexily · 22/02/2021 12:39

I've just spoken to my GP they can't see anything on my record to say why I would have to shield, however, as they haven't been involved in sending the letters and don't know what information has been used they're advising me to carry on shielding.

They didn't know anything about the clinical tool to do an individual assessment.

Still no clearer on what is correct.

YukoandHiro · 22/02/2021 12:51

Those shielding, do you have kids in nursery or going back to school? What are we supposed to do about that? I was planning on returning my eldest to nursery on 15 March when both DH and I will have had the jab for over 22 days but am on mat leave so I don't have to. I'm just totally exhausted by it all Confused

doireallyneedaname · 22/02/2021 13:01

@minipie Yes that’s exactly what Partha said.

The algorithm identified us because we had GD AND other risk factors, it’s treating GD as type 2 as a precautionary measure (or in error)

So you need confirmation of an hba1c for no type 2, in which case no shielding. If you do have type 2, shield. Not all type 2’s need to shield because not all will have additional risk factors like we do

doireallyneedaname · 22/02/2021 13:03

The letter attached is what was sent out to GP’s about the new shielding list. It states they can remove patients however if an individual has already been invited for a vaccine they should have it. So if anybody’s GP tries to fight this, refer them to their own letter!

Without a recent hba1c it’s simply not safe to be removed from the list.

Recent notice to shield (Feb 2021) and history of gestational diabetes
FoxtrotSkarloey · 22/02/2021 13:12

Thanks @doireallyneedaname that's really helpful - so it's NOT having had GDM per se which is the issue, it's the increased likelihood of that turning into T2.

Is the annual hba1c test the same as the GDM tests one has during pregnancy?

I've never had a follow up test since GDM but I had another baby last year so was tested twice, most recently last July. I did not have GDM during that pregnancy. Wondering if I'm therefore worrying about nothing?

doireallyneedaname · 22/02/2021 13:17

@FoxtrotSkarloey They might have done an hba1c test on you last time but during pregnancy it’s normally the OGTT (where you drink the glucose drink) - Some trusts do this postpartum but most do an hba1c (one blood test that looks at average glucose over the last 3 months)

Yes it doesn’t sound like you have anything to worry about but regardless you should book in your hba1c :) 12 weeks postpartum is the advice.

HereComesATractor · 22/02/2021 13:22

Mine’s a bit odd because I have had normal HbA1cs since my first pregnancy with GDM, but the reason I haven’t had one in the last year is that I have had another baby and didn’t have GDM - so I have had several normal GTTs (and also finger prick tests) in that time. I am definitely due another HbA1c shortly, and it’s not in itself an error that I haven’t had it this year, but I think that must be why my record has been picked up. I’m not going to shield as it’s not practical and we’re being sensible, but equally I’m not going to contact the GP to get myself removed from the shielding list given that it’s not a legal requirement. I will make sure I get the HbA1c soon (though my surgery has always been very good about booking them annually)

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