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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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Someone1987 · 22/02/2021 19:32

@Boobahs what does HR say?! I've been given a shielding letter, assuming due to past GD, but went to work today. Should I tell my school? I really don't know what to do!

brimfuller · 22/02/2021 20:01

@Someone1987 I've just sent an email to my school. I wasn't sure what to do either, so I decided to tell them and see what they said. I said it was advisory and I still planned to attend. No reply yet, obviously. I'm starting to wish I hadn't sent it already. I can never decide what to do for the best!

Seaneen831 · 22/02/2021 21:24

This is the bit I’m taking caution over.... I’m even if you get the jab what’s to say the truth strength of immunity!???

Recent notice to shield (Feb 2021) and history of gestational diabetes
Boobahs · 22/02/2021 21:24

[quote Someone1987]@Boobahs what does HR say?! I've been given a shielding letter, assuming due to past GD, but went to work today. Should I tell my school? I really don't know what to do![/quote]
I haven't spoken to them directly, my head has been liaising with them but if I choose to ignore the shielding, I would have to sign a disclaimer in order for me to go in. I'm not really comfortable with that as I don't know what ramifications that could cause in the future.

Also if I manage to get off the shielding list (which I can't now, after another conversation with the GP), they would want to see a letter from the NHS confirming that I'm off Confused

minipie · 22/02/2021 21:26

This is the bit I’m taking caution over.... I’m even if you get the jab what’s to say the truth strength of immunity!???

I believe this is in relation to the immunocompromised... If your immune system is nuked then you won’t make antibodies even if you get the vaccine, so it won’t work for you.

Seaneen831 · 22/02/2021 21:27

I have emailed my manager and said I’m willing to do a few days the 2 in bring my son to nursey makes sense... but still to find out if they will allow me to work onsite.. risk assessment will be carried out.... so whatever the result... there liability insurance may not cover me if I did contract it and god forbid die....

The more I read the more I become concerned...

Seaneen831 · 22/02/2021 21:31

@minipie I see, I wonder then when I got antibody test back in the beginning it did show any so might of had it but didn’t build up any immunity... as I was unwell beginning of March... who knows! Got this far working in hospital and travelling on underground so must be doing something right....

brimfuller · 22/02/2021 21:33

I've just received an email reply from my head saying that I will have to work from home for the duration. I wish I hadn't said anything.

My anxiety will go through the roof when I am at home and everyone else is back. I'm not really good at working from home. I don't want to offend anyone or seem ungrateful for having a supportive work environment. I know that's how it sounds.

I just couldn't decide what to do - I felt sure that somewhere in one of the million new policies, it would say I should tell them. But how would they have found out?! I'm so annoyed with myself.

Rowgtfc72 · 22/02/2021 22:04

Reading this with horror!
I had GD 14 years ago. Was on insulin. Im now 49 with a bmi of 34, which puts me as obese.
Im worried I might get a shielding letter. We so cant afford this. We had to have 3 weeks off on ssp in Oct when dd caught covid at school and then gave it to me.
Are people still getting the letters for GD?
As an aside my GP religiously tests me for diabetes once a year due to age and family history. Touch wood all ok up to now.

doireallyneedaname · 22/02/2021 22:07

@Rowgtfc72 If you don’t have diabetes and haven’t received a letter, you don’t need to worry about this.

YukoandHiro · 22/02/2021 22:07

Hi @brimfuller - my shielding letter says the shielding period is til 31 March. So it will only be for three weeks when your colleagues are in school.

Rowgtfc72 · 22/02/2021 22:14

Thanks @doireallyneedaname

EcoCustard · 22/02/2021 22:16

I received my letter today advising me to shield as I was at a higher risk. Does not say what my higher risk is so can only predicts the GD I had in 3 of my pregnancies (last one in 2019). I haven’t seen my GP since 2018.

brimfuller · 22/02/2021 22:18

@YukoandHiro Thank you. I'll just keep hoping that it doesn't get extended beyond that.

Boobahs · 23/02/2021 08:11

@brimfuller

I've just received an email reply from my head saying that I will have to work from home for the duration. I wish I hadn't said anything.

My anxiety will go through the roof when I am at home and everyone else is back. I'm not really good at working from home. I don't want to offend anyone or seem ungrateful for having a supportive work environment. I know that's how it sounds.

I just couldn't decide what to do - I felt sure that somewhere in one of the million new policies, it would say I should tell them. But how would they have found out?! I'm so annoyed with myself.

Sorry that it wasn't the outcome you wanted. I'm also wishing that I hadn't mentioned it as it's caused so much stress over the weekend, and I think colleagues at work are probably not taking it well Sad
IFinishedTheBiscuits · 23/02/2021 08:40

@brimfuller, I think we can be removed from the shielding list if we've had a recent blood sugars test, or if we have one now which shows no diabetes. (Apologies if you've already covered that.)

doireallyneedaname · 23/02/2021 08:44

@IFinishedTheBiscuits Yes that is my understanding of it too, unless you have other conditions on the list

brimfuller · 23/02/2021 10:49

I actually called my GP this morning and was removed from the list (or at least said I don't have to shield - not sure if that's the same thing). I wanted it in writing, but he would only send a text message. The text message says the letter was sent in error. I have sent a picture of that to my boss and just hope they accept it. This is a nightmare. I imagine for some people, who would have to rely on SSP because of this mistake, it is even worse.

They'll have to accept it, won't they? I can't stay at home for no reason now they've said it's a mistake!

Boobahs · 23/02/2021 11:42

@brimfuller

I actually called my GP this morning and was removed from the list (or at least said I don't have to shield - not sure if that's the same thing). I wanted it in writing, but he would only send a text message. The text message says the letter was sent in error. I have sent a picture of that to my boss and just hope they accept it. This is a nightmare. I imagine for some people, who would have to rely on SSP because of this mistake, it is even worse.

They'll have to accept it, won't they? I can't stay at home for no reason now they've said it's a mistake!

My HR are saying that if a GP decides that you don't have to shield, they have to ask the NHS to take you off the list and they will want to see a letter to say that you are definitely off, but it may be different for you Confused
YukoandHiro · 23/02/2021 14:16

Well I spoke to my GP and she had already removed me from the list! WTF.

I've already got a second jab appt and I'm told that won't be affected.

What a confusing situation.

CeibaTree · 23/02/2021 16:45

I just had a phone call from the nurse at my GP, she said if I came in and had the HbA1c blood test later this week they could take me off the list if it's in the right range. She said I should definitely go ahead and have the vaccine if I was able to book it (which I was).

Rowgtfc72 · 23/02/2021 18:14

Assuming then as I've had yearly diabetes checks for the last 14 years I wont be getting a letter. My nurse used to call me The Kebab Queen and said I'd be diabetic by 40. I'm 49 now and not.

bumblenbean · 23/02/2021 20:33

@YukoandHiro same here! GP receptionist emailed me, said doctor had checked and insisted it was a mistake by ‘central NHS’ and that I’ve been taken off the list, despite me mentioning I haven’t had a Hba1c in ages. I agree that it’s unlikely I need to shield/ remain on the list, but there doesn’t seem to be much transparency or acknowledgement of the need for a check to ensure T2 hasn’t developed Hmm

Like you I also queried whether this would affect the second jab and the receptionist said not as it’s already booked - though I have images of being turned away at the doors!

Also, and I know I’m majorly overthinking this, but if we all need boosters some time in the future won’t we get lost in the system as we’ll no longer be flagged as vulnerable ...and therefore when the time comes for our ‘group’ to be re-vaccinated (if that happens) we’ll be missed out...? I think I need to stop thinking about all this Grin