The 40+ health check - can someone explain this to me like I'm 5

[ZebraLyghts]

Hi all,

I turned 40 last year, as did my friend. She recently had a health check that's being offered to 40-74 year olds I believe. They check your blood glucose, cholesterol, take some measurements and calculate your risk of stroke, heart disease etc.

I asked my GPs receptionist if I could be booked in for one of these and she said I wasn't eligible. I asked her to check why, and she called back and said it's because I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant (almost 3 years ago).
The doctor hadn't explained to her why that meant I couldn't have a check, so she asked again and he told her "it's national rules."
The NHS website says the check isn't offered to those with diabetes or heart problems, but doesn't mention gestational diabetes (obviously it increases your risk of diabetes in future but it's not an ongoing condition that I have).

I just can't understand (and neither could the receptionist) why I'm not entitled to this check up? I make sure I get my blood glucose checked yearly but I've never had a cholesterol check or any of the other stuff. I didn't even get a postnatal health check.
It just seems like a lot of women will never be invited for this health check which could screen out a lot of nasties and save lives? I actually hadn't heard of the check up til my friend mentioned it.
Anyone heard of anything similar or know why this might be the case?

I get pestered for them every flaming year. And then get patronised by the practice nurse afterwards, as she likes issuing dire warnings and refusing to share the actual numbers which completely contradict the picture she's painting.

I wonder sometimes if she's ever seen a woman over 40 with a fulltime job before, let alone one with a job that means percentages, ratios and numbers aren't big and scary things that she must be protected from at all costs. Her assumptions about everybody eating biscuits in front of daytime TV (impossible due to a) job and b) being coeliac) and never allowing fresh fish or vegetables to pass their lips get tiresome.

The idea of proactively checking makes sense, it's the implementation and assumptions where you're essentially making an appointment to be told you're old, fat and about to drop dead even if all your results suggest the complete opposite is what galls. And on that subject, no, I don't have gallstones either, so not everybody has them.

I definitely did tell her it was GD but yes I think I'll have to speak to them again. Good idea about requesting a full annual check if they're classing me as having a condition from the list of doom! Thank you 😊

Oh no how annoying!

Are you sure they only check your blood sugar when you go for that? That sounds odd to me. I would have thought they'd check lipids and kidneys while they're at it. Do they never check your blood pressure?

Ya, I had mine.

I had one but it didn't even blood test like others here so I don't know how good it was.

47 and never been offered one

I'm now actually wondering if that was actually part of it as I had been saying I thought I was aneamic for a while and think perhaps I had requested it beforehand...was a few years ago now so may have mid-remembered. If it wasn't then I am not sure it was worth much - prob was more informative before social media in 2009.

45 and had mine done at 40 (3 years after I'd had gestational diabetes)

I had mine in 2022. It was very reassuring. I was surprised my cholesterol was really good.

Maybe try again or go to the pharmacy.

Thanks for the replies everyone, seems my GP has misunderstood so I'll get back in touch. Cheers all!

I'm 55 and was offered my first one recently. I may think about it next year.

I'm 62 and have never been offered a health check. I've never had my cholesterol done in my life

I turned 40 end of last year, had the letter the next month. Made me feel officially old!! 🤣 I was only in there 5 mins.

When I go for my yearly hba1c they check everything including cholesterol, maybe your GP does the same?