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

@CaveMum having had it, or having it? This is what’s confusing me.

I had it when I was pregnant and my BMI was 31. Postpartum my BMI is 22 and I have a very health hba1c (blood glucose) - I can only assume it’s still using my historic BMI.

@NeedsImprovement01 the GP was talking more about historic GD but he did point out that any woman who has had GD at any point should be regularly screened for the rest of her life as having GD puts you at higher risk of developing full blown diabetes - hence the Covid risk factor.

Discussion starts around 10 minutes into the show here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_two

@LouLouMcGeough

I had GD 14 years ago and no notice to shield. Didn't know I am supposed to have yearly checks either! How many of you get checked yearly out of interest?

I had GD 10 years ago. I've had another child since and no GD with that pregnancy but I am still contacted by my GP every year for a test with a follow up letter if I don't book an appointment after a few weeks.

It would be really good to find out if it's historical or current GD that could be an issue. Nobody can tell me why I've had a letter, it's really frustrating because I'm a critical worker and don't know if I should be going into work or not, although I can do the majority of my job at home.

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Hi I had GD with my last baby and I had a letter yesterday notifying me to start shielding. I was insulin dependent with my GD I’m thinking this could be the difference between people having had GD and asked to shield and not.
Where you insulin dependent with it?

Thanks cavemum. That seems pretty clear (presuming the doctor they had on was well informed, but I assume he would be!). Historic GD is a risk factor and in combination with other risk factors may be significant enough to make you CEV.

Given the inputs come from hospital records as well as GP records it is probably hard to know exactly what caused the trigger. Personally I am far from obese, post code might count as deprived, 3 GDM pregnancies, various other pregnancy complications, migraines other past health incidents, who knows what tipped the balance! I am fortunate in that already being on maternity leave, shielding has little impact on my life but get this is a big shock to those working out of home.

Apparently your GP can see how your report has been generated and amend any of the defaults to accurate answers which could change your risk.

So really, we still don't have a bloody clue what's going on and no one can tell us:

-Is it current or previous GD?
-If previous plus other factors, which ones?

As someone with former GD and a BMI which is too high, but who isn't being asked for annual checks, I am concerned the GP may not have to correct info to flag me, but it doesn't sound like GP's have been given all of the info either.

To be clear, I have no desire to shield, but if I am genuinely at increased risk, I should know and this specific information is not forthcoming from any source.

I ended up on insulin with my GD but haven't been told to shield. I do get an annual Hb1ac though which has always been ok (for 4 years) and a BMI of 21. So, I don't think ending up on insulin is a factor or at least not a sole factor.

I tried to book a vaccination online just to see if I could and it said I wasn't eligible, so I called 119. They said everyone who received a letter or email should be able to book a vaccine online from Monday as their system is updating over the weekend. I asked them about previous GD and they said it wasn't on the list (but diabetes in general is), so they were none the wiser either!

My DD had GD nine years ago. She's had Covid and months on still has a loss of taste and smell. She's had the letter and is in a fix because she really needs to work as the future of a number of people depend on her. It's a ridiculous situation and needs a definitive answer. She's happy to have the jab, but surely past GD and having had the virus should mean that she can carry on as normal?

It looks like we’re only being asked to shield if we have past GD AND other risk factors - but I have no idea what my other risk factors could be (judging by the QCovid tool). Certainly none of the listed risk factors.

I guess we have to wait for the GP to receive updated assessment and discuss with them if we want clarity - can’t imagine that will help with workload ..

As referenced on the other thread the qcovid website has been updated to explicitly state historic gd is a risk factor in the model. Historic gd alone does not require shielding.

digital.nhs.uk/coronavirus/risk-assessment/population

Expand the diabetes section

I had gd. Low normal bmi verging on underweight. No other health conditions. Not been asked to shield or offered vaccine. I'm in London too (neither a v wealthy nor v deprived part).

Posted on the other thread too but looks like the national booking system has now updated to allow those with these letters to now book for a vaccine.

Just booked mine, looks like online system has updated

Still says I'm not eligible to book mine. I'll keep trying.

I have booked mine for tomorrow

My gp surgery texted me a link to book mine.

I'm having it tomorrow, but now feel extremely nervous.

I've been able to book mine too now :)

Booked mine for tomorrow.

I had GD in 2019 and also have a BMI of above 40, which is on my GP's record as I was weighed at my post natal check in early 2020.

No shielding letter and no invite for a vaccine as a Group 6 person.

The only thing I keep thinking is.. is it only those who had GD AND had a prescription for Metformin? Mine was diet controlled so maybe that's why I've not received anything?

@Horizons83 Nope. I was diet controlled.