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

[HelloViroids]

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

@bumblenbean I’d put in a complaint to the practice manager. Without an up to date hba1c, they have no right.

As for getting lost in the system, I expect you’d just be offered it with everyone else in your age group.

Thanks @doireallyneedaname - it’s really not great is it.

Yes I agree re the booster jab - only thing is my age group will be done generally around July so won’t get their boosters probably until much later than our current group would- hopefully immunity won’t have waned by then! We’ll just have to wait and see I guess ...

Bit late to the party on this one but am in the same boat - this is the latest from the QCovid folks, sorry if posted already:

digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/risk-assessment/population#gestational-diabetes

I had a my first annual blood test this year, my son is 5 lol... I've had a letter to shield and vaccine too... I also have asthma, it said it takes into account lots of other things too, like bmi, postcode and your risk compared to the average person. I did query when Dr called me that I wasn't eligible, but he was adamant I was high risk

Everyone who had a first dose will flag up as needing a second dose whether they were meant to have the vaccine at this time, got it in error or got it randomly at a vaccine centre that had spares. Don't worry, nobody will get turned away. Ultimately we need the whole population vaccinated.

@bumblenbean Don't worry it won't affect your jab because once you've had the first you've got to have the second within 12 weeks as that's the commitment so that it works effectively - they won't want any of those timings to slip.

Did you ask for an hba1c. My GP said I should have one now and has organised a bloods form for me so I just need to go in and do it when I can without the kids (you have to go solo)

I am imagining that those of us with current GD might need to wait until three months after delivery and then get an hba1c before we can talk to GP about the CEV status being revised, depending on other conditions we may have. If I get any clarification on that I will post back.

I had (diet controlled) GD when pregnant, am in a less affluent area but my BMI is in the normal range and I have no other risk factors. I haven’t heard anything!

I was offered a vaccine on Monday and got vaccinated yesterday.

I know it was GD-related because I was offered a vaccine at the hospital where I gave birth, which isn't that local to me.

I had severe insulin-controlled GD with no risk factors, but I'm certain the GD was triggered by a very rare immune disorder for which I've now been referred to a specialist. I have a normal Hba1c, but unusually high insulin resistance, which is caused by my disease, so I'm glad I was flagged by the system to get a vaccine.

No one has asked me to shield.

More updates - it’s clear now and as we suspected.

Has everyone seen the latest tweet from the good doctor?

mobile.twitter.com/parthaskar/status/1364522653135089664

Finally clarity! What happened, why, what to do next.
mobile.twitter.com/parthaskar/status/1364522653135089664

Much clearer than previous messages.

Ugh that's so annoying as I haven't had my HBA1C yet and I've already been taken off CEV. It doesn't matter as I already had my first vaccine so I'm in the system and can discuss with GP after my bloods, but they shouldn't have rushed to take it off

This is probably a silly question, but I can't seem to find the answer online!

I haven't had a HBA1C for two years, but I have one booked for later this week. I do have my own blood glucose monitor which I use several times a week and it is always a normal reading. I know I won't know until I go for the proper test, but would you be less worried if you had normal finger-prick results? The only things I can find say it shouldn't be used for diagnosis.

I'm a bit (a lot) of a worrier!

Yes @brimfuller - I wouldn't be worried, but hopefully the full hba1c result will reassure you too

It wasn't all a big mistake then!

I had GD last year, haven’t had a hba1c test, I’m classed as obese (but bmi not over 40), and Ive got asthma. I’ve not been asked to shield, or put in a priority group. Should I have been? I’m worried now.

@Racoonworld If you didn’t receive a letter then I think that suggests that even if you had type 2, your risk factors wouldn’t be high enough to shield. You should definitely get your hba1c though, ASAP.

[quote Nosideeffectsatall]@Racoonworld If you didn’t receive a letter then I think that suggests that even if you had type 2, your risk factors wouldn’t be high enough to shield. You should definitely get your hba1c though, ASAP.[/quote]
I hope that’s the case, its obviously a good thing if my risk isn’t high enough, just don’t want to be going about like usual if I’m high risk without knowing it!

@Racoonworld I would speak to the GP to make sure. They don’t seem too informed on all of this to be honest but they can advise.

@Racoonworld have you tried putting in your information into the QCOVID tool? The threshold for counting as clinically extremely vulnerable/advised to shield is absolute risk of 0.5% or higher or relative risk of 10 or more. qcovid.org/Calculation

[quote StoryOfANewName]@Racoonworld have you tried putting in your information into the QCOVID tool? The threshold for counting as clinically extremely vulnerable/advised to shield is absolute risk of 0.5% or higher or relative risk of 10 or more. qcovid.org/Calculation[/quote]
Thanks for the link. Do we put gd down as type 2?
If I put it in as type 2 my relative risk is 10.2

@Racoonworld hmm. You would have likely been sent a letter then. Have you tired booking a vaccine? Some of us got the letter via email first - check your junk folder.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

[quote Nosideeffectsatall]@Racoonworld hmm. You would have likely been sent a letter then. Have you tired booking a vaccine? Some of us got the letter via email first - check your junk folder.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/[/quote]
I’ve checked and haven’t. I think it’s my bmi putting me over. Last time my weight was checked I was lighter, winter and lockdown with a baby has led to me putting on weight. I have an appointment for my diabetes check next week so I’ll ask about it then.

Mine is 13.6 on that tool if I put the address is where I work, but much lower if put in where I live. Interesting.

TBH I still think there is something odd going on

I got a letter - my risk comes out as 10.2 if I tick diabetes box. Must be based on diabetes (ie prior GD) and postcode as I have no other risk factors.

However my friend, who had prior GD, has a near identical postcode, same GP, and has more risk factors as well and gets a much higher score on the calculator - she did not get a letter.

I really don’t understand this.