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

@Itisasecret I don’t know how your GP can possibly know when none of the others do! I wouldn’t worry too much

According to Diabetes UK not everyone with diabetes or GD is being asked to shield, it takes into account other factors too.

@Racoonworld

According to Diabetes UK not everyone with diabetes or GD is being asked to shield, it takes into account other factors too.

It doesn't say which though does it. Only partially helpful...

No, there's nothing official yet. We've found out at the same time as you all have (today!). Give it a couple of days, I'm sure there will be an announcement.

I just read someone had been told by their nurse that covid admissions and long covid have been linked to insulin resistance (of which most GD mums have a degree of)

Actually that can’t be a thing. Otherwise all prediabetics would be called in too.

I'm struggling with this. Some I can understand but others I can't accept.
Sorry to pick someone out personally, but sillychumpster who didn't have it since first pregnancy, seems odd.

And yes, I'm a type 1, since aged 1, so my whole life, so yes I do have strong opinions on this.

Blacktothepink, please phone your GP because, as a type 1, you should have been done by now.

@Oblomov21 I don't mind you picking me out! I'm finding this very odd too, and I'm hoping it is a mistake. As I said, I had GD six years ago in my first pregnancy, it didn't appear in my second and nothing has been flagged up in the checks I've had since then. I have no other health issues and never expected to be told I was CEV. I'm amazed that people who had GD a fairly long time ago are apparently considered more vulnerable that someone who is living with type 1 or type 2.

This has really scared me. I had GD 2 years ago with my 2nd pregnancy (didn't have it with my first). I am also asthmatic but not been offered the vaccine in group 6. Does this now mean I am at even more risk?? I have health anxiety anyway and this is not helping. I haven't received any letters, in the east of England.

@Yamaya I feel the same. Also have health anxiety and the letter has come totally out of the blue, only thing I can think of is GD in 2018. The lack of explanation and understanding if we really are at risk (and why) is awful for the anxiety isn’t it

@bumblenbean yeah, I've not been doing so great lately anyway! Just some clarification would be good.

There's another thread about this. Clearly a huge nhs error!

@Oblomov21 would you mind linking to the other thread please?

This is really worrying. I had GD with both children, the youngest now 8 and have pre.diabetes. I've not.had a letter, and have not thought I was.higher risk to.anyone else until I read this.

This is the weirdest thing - many women with GD history have had a letter but equally many haven’t.

We really need clarification asap

@minipie

This is the weirdest thing - many women with GD history have had a letter but equally many haven’t.

We really need clarification asap

Yes it's pretty strange surely it would be all or none if it were due to a computer error?

@FoxtrotSkarloey I don’t know if this helps at all but I had GD a year ago and got the shielding email today. I also have PCOS, a BMI of 30 and raised cholesterol. I’m also on meds for depression and anxiety. I was shocked to get the email today but taking all of that into account I can see how they might’ve flagged me as vulnerable? I don’t know 🤷‍♀️

Just received a shielding letter but no one knows why!! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4169384-Just-received-a-shielding-letter-but-no-one-knows-why

Link OP

@Oblomov21 thanks!

I believe the data error theory is that some patients have gestational diabetes closed down on their record and some don't, then add in that other factors may be used and this is why some ladies with historic GD have received shielding notification and others haven't.

Currently there appears to speculation from GPs both ways as to whether it is an error or not. Hopefully official confirmation will be forthcoming.

@NeedsImprovement01 but then are we happily vaccinating pregnant women now? I’ve read about a few who were refused a vaccine. Seems odd that they’d be sending out shielding letters for priority vaccination to a bunch of pregnant women with GD.

I have had gestational diabetes in 3 out of 4 pregnancies and not a heard anything. I didn’t get my annual check last year due to Covid either. Have a high bmi ( not helped by my lockdown eating 🙈). Still monitoring my sugars occasionally and so far ok but no hbac1 done. Active and healthy so not too concerned. Not had any notice to shield or get a vaccine but I have had to pester my GP for an blood test because of GD so don’t hold out much hope tbh.

It makes literally no sense that type 1 & 2’s are not considered extremely vulnerable, but someone with a history of gestational diabetes is. What am I missing? This is driving me mad.