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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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15
painbrain · 18/02/2021 15:56

I've just received my email this morning. GD nearly 9 years ago, and BMI over 30 but below 40. I was really shocked.

minipie · 18/02/2021 16:00

Thank you ExpulsoCorona

painbrain · 18/02/2021 16:02

I suppose there'll be an official message if it's a mistake? It's very anxiety provoking in the meantime!

FlossyJones · 18/02/2021 16:04

ExpulsoCorona thank you, really helpful! Slightly disappointed to (probably) go back to the back of the vaccine queue again!

Same4Walls · 18/02/2021 16:05

@painbrain

I suppose there'll be an official message if it's a mistake? It's very anxiety provoking in the meantime!
You wouod blooming hope so. Otherwise loads of people won't know if it was a mistake unles their gp contacts them or they get another letter/email. Surely it would be much quicker and easier to just make a public statement?
minipie · 18/02/2021 16:05

I’m not disappointed, I’m delighted I’m not actually high risk!

Fleanne · 18/02/2021 16:07

Those of you who received a letter, was this in the post or by email? I received an email today but wasn't sure if it was fake. I had GD during my pregnancy in 2018 so wondering now after reading this thread whether the email was indeed real (from notifications.service.gov.uk).

FoxtrotSkarloey · 18/02/2021 16:08

Thanks for the clarification on the annual check.

I too would be keen to see the official statement that this is an error please.

minipie · 18/02/2021 16:09

I suppose the problem with a blanket official statement is that some women will genuinely be high risk (due to other factors) but if they put out a statement those women might assume it was the GD that caused the letter and think they don’t have to shield.... so they will probably have to go through one by one 😫 total PITA

The letters only seem to have gone out today so it’s going to take them a bit of time even if they do want to do a public statement

FlossyJones · 18/02/2021 16:10

@minipie

I’m not disappointed, I’m delighted I’m not actually high risk!
Good point!
minipie · 18/02/2021 16:10

@Fleanne

Those of you who received a letter, was this in the post or by email? I received an email today but wasn't sure if it was fake. I had GD during my pregnancy in 2018 so wondering now after reading this thread whether the email was indeed real (from notifications.service.gov.uk).
By email

from [email protected]

Seems pretty clear it’s a legit email, the problem is the risk algorithm has wrongly included people with past GD not just current GD

Layladylay234 · 18/02/2021 16:16

I rang my GP's and they didn't say it was an error. I'm going to wait for an official statement before deciding if it's an error

Fleanne · 18/02/2021 16:18

Thanks minipie. My GP had no idea about this which made me question it, although as you say it seemed genuine with all the details they had. Glad I don't need to shield!

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 18/02/2021 16:21

I had GD and now have type 2 but I’ve revived nothing about shielding.
Don’t really know what’s happening with ut

doireallyneedaname · 18/02/2021 16:21

My GP was clueless. I spoke to 119 who said they’ve lots of these calls today and nothing is showing on my medical record to suggest I’m CEV. Check again in a few days. So hopefully it is a mistake, although he said it does take 12-36 hours after the letter has been generated for medical records to be updated, at which point GP is made aware and vaccination bookable.

minipie · 18/02/2021 16:23

Fleanne I’m going off what ExpulsoCorona says upthread

HSHorror · 18/02/2021 16:27

Expulso - are pcos people at higher risk?
Ones on metformin or have been on metformin? will they be considered diabetic.

bumblenbean · 18/02/2021 16:31

What I don’t understand is when I use the QCovid tool (which I thought the new shielding list was based on) it brings me up as really low risk. So how has the NHS got a totally different result using the same tool? So confused :(

I’m assuming it’s GD that’s flagged me as I don’t have any of the other conditions the tool asks about ...

GlumyGloomer · 18/02/2021 16:31

I'm in London, overweight, GD twice and was on insulin, but no letter.
This thread had made me panic now Sad

NeedsImprovement01 · 18/02/2021 16:32

This may not be simple to resolve. If the model was built off the same data set as is being used to determine who should shield then it would have considered a large number of ladies with historic but open gd records when deciding the gd population was increased risk. The increased risk may entirely sit with those with current gd, but is possible the analysis hasn't been done to prove this.

It would, in my opinion, be safer to wait for official confirmation of the mistake, and indeed individual confirmations in case there is an additional risk factor lurking.

Shielding is of course optional and individuals can make their own decisions and balance with other risks (ie need to earn money) in their lives.

FoxtrotSkarloey · 18/02/2021 16:44

There's an issue though that the detail is missing from the public domain on if it's just current GD or former GD or either plus A N other factor which increases risk.

sallywinter · 18/02/2021 16:48

I had GD (baby born October 2020.) Not overweight at booking or since. No letter. Did get flu vaccine though.

RhubarbAndRoses · 18/02/2021 17:00

@Whichjab I’m in a very affluent area in SW London. I’m not sure if it is a postcode thing? So odd!

CeibaTree · 18/02/2021 17:33

[quote Honeybobbin]@ExpulsoCorona can you point us to the official information that tells you that it's an error, please? Because my GP's surgery had no idea when I called them earlier.[/quote]
Same here - I'd like to see an official confirmation of this rather than take a random post on the internet as fact! No offence meant @ExpulsoCorona :)

Itisasecret · 18/02/2021 17:44

My Gp has said this isn’t a mistake and people with previous GD are being flagged as ECV and pushed up the vaccine list. Shit.

No letter but I’ve not got an up to date email on file. They think I’ll be getting one. Please tell me this is a bad joke? I work in a school!

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