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

ExpulsoCorona thank you!

Will GPs be going through and weeding out the error letters? Thankless task!

So if it's an error, and you have been invited for a vaccine, should you go still? Will they presume you've had it and not invite you again?
Bit of a poor situation if people are getting the vaccinations ahead of others who are more at risk

Has anyone actually been invited for a vaccine yet?

@minipie I'm not sure. We haven't had anything to do with the letters. We only found out they were going out a couple of hours before it was on the news. Genuinely we had no idea that the lists were changing.

I haven’t had a vaccine invitation

Agree it would be wrong if I get it ahead of actual high risk, or people older than me

[quote ExpulsoCorona]@minipie I'm not sure. We haven't had anything to do with the letters. We only found out they were going out a couple of hours before it was on the news. Genuinely we had no idea that the lists were changing.[/quote]
FFS

I feel for you

I've had the shielding letter this morning - had GD also have a weight issue. It mentions the vaccine but I haven't had something asking me to book to get one. Will that come from the local GP surgery?

NO ONE EVER TOLD ME THAT! I had a blood test after six weeks but no one ever mentioned an annual test!

Since then I've recently had DC2 and was checked throughout that pregnancy, so I should be ok for now, but I'll certainly make a note to ask for a check after a year.

@FoxtrotSkarloey

NO ONE EVER TOLD ME THAT! I had a blood test after six weeks but no one ever mentioned an annual test!

Since then I've recently had DC2 and was checked throughout that pregnancy, so I should be ok for now, but I'll certainly make a note to ask for a check after a year.

That's rubbisbut to be fair I was only reminded to book mine as I'm still on the GD Facebook page and quite often someone will ask about it. If someone told me about it in the weeks following having baby or at my 6 week check up I honestly can't remember.

same Foxtrot I haven’t had a single diabetes related test since shortly after pregnancy I don’t think.

suppose I ought to chase that up!

This must surely be a mistake.

Balls. Had GD, am in overweight category and 15 weeks pregnant again. Also a primary teacher so hope I’m not told to shield - my school’s annual supply budget was used up by end of October...

@ExpulsoCorona have you been told officially it’s an error?

Oh weird! I had GD, 3 kidney surgeries, gynae surgery, high blood pressure and I just assumed I would be last in the queue. Maybe I will remain there. You have reminded me that I haven't had my Blood sugar levels checked for a couple of years so thank you!

It’s odd, I’m type 1, pernicious anaemia, bmi of 30, aged 55 and haven’t received an email or letter
I actually want to shield so I don’t have to go out to work, but can only do so with the letter 😩

@ExpulsoCorona thanks for your message, so helpful!

[quote minipie]@ExpulsoCorona have you been told officially it’s an error?[/quote]
Good question. Is this just what your suehery are saying or has someone higher up confirmed it was an error?

@ExpulsoCorona

GP here - it's an error. It's such a headache! It's due to the computer thinking you still have gestational diabetes. Which obviously you don't if you're not pregnant.

Oh! Thank you expulso for clearing that up.

I rang up to enquire why I was now able to shield and she told.me.it was due to.having a fallopian tube removed and then booked me the jab for.next week. Feeling guilty....

*surgery.

Damn fat fingers 😅

ExpulsoCorona do you know it’s an error? Has anyone officially confirmed that to you, or might the algorithm be taking into account, for example, that actually having had GD puts you at risk of having type 2 diabetes (potentially undiagnosed and/or uncontrolled)? Those who are vulnerable without knowing it are perhaps some of the most vulnerable.

It seems dangerous to state it’s an error unless someone with knowledge of the underlying data and model has confirmed it...

What a shitshow. I had GD back in 2018 and thought I was pretty low risk overall as no other risk factors, but have had severe anxiety about covid regardless. Receiving a shielding letter out of the blue with no explanation has tipped the anxiety into full blown panic! Wish we knew what was going on!

It seems dangerous to state it’s an error unless someone with knowledge of the underlying data and model has confirmed it...

That's what I'm worried about. I've seen no statement or comment from anyone higher up yet to suggest it's a mistake. If it were a mistake I would have expected them to be being very publicly vocal about it to reassure people.

@FlossyJones it's being discussed extensively by GPs on SM. If you go into the patient's notes and end the episodes of gestational diabetes they revert to their proper group. Pregnant ladies who currently have gestational diabetes are at increased risk.