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Type 1 Shielding for diabetics

J

jane1950

Well-Known Member
Scientists are now suggesting that diabetics should be in the shielded group as extra vulnerable as it has been found that diabetics are 3 and a half more likely to die if they get coronavirus, but how could they make all diabetics shield, it could be hard, unless they only tell the diabetics who have not got good control over the their glucose levels to shield, it could be difficult for people who work
 
I don’t really see a difference to anyone who has had to shield. A lot of those may have had to stop working.
If it saves lives that’s good. I’m self employed with zero income. If I have to shield I’ll do as I’m told. I may go via Durham but hey ho
 
I would probably shield, but it would be no different to what I am doing now, as I dont go to the shops, or not many, all I do is go out for exercise. Mind you, self employed people I suppose could shield, if they work outside, as they wouldnt have to come into contact with whoever lives or works in the property
 
I'm very fortunate that I don't have to work and my husband is self-employed and works at home, so I have been shielding since before the lockdown was announced
 
I do not believe all diabetics will be told to shield. There are far too many of us, including many key workers. A blanket one size fits all I'm sure won't happen. Possibly those with uncontrolled and high blood sugars, and those already with complications, but not all of us. We have no idea how many diabetics who are otherwise healthy and fit have died, and whether it was the diabetes alone that made them so ill.
 
My hba1c level is not always good, last time it was too low, time before it was too high, bmi of 31.7, although not the highest is still high, hopefully they will not tell us to shield
 
Type 1s have 3.5 times the risk. I think type 2 is twice the risk. Due to low numbers of other diabetes types in studies they were put together as 'other types of diabetes' and I think also had twice the risk of non diabetics. This is for the stats of dying in hospital at least... (paper released on NHS England website last week).

Lots of type 1s who have contacted their GPs have been given shielding letters. Like has been said I think it will be a 'don't ask don't get' scenario due to taking too many out of the workforce otherwise. I think it will also depend on your job and working conditions. Someone lucky enough to be able choose to continue working from home might not be deemed as high risk as someone who has no choice but to interact with others. The concern will come as people are more complacent with lowdown easing measures. If you're concerned about your workplace then contact your GP. Of course you might choose not to shield, that is everyone's personal choice.
 
My GP has never once suggested I shield but was also open enough to tell me many diabetics under his care have received letters. This is not a one size fits all approach. I think the research legitimises that
 
I decided to shield because although my t2 is well controlled, it won't be if I get sick, plus I have other health conditions. I have asthma (moderate), mild heart disease, etc. and will be 70 in a few months - none of which on their own make me extremely vulnerable, but in combination? I don't know how much all of that raises my risk, and my GP just did the simple checklist and said I'm not extremely vulnerable.
One research group was developing a tool that would provide the risk for multiple conditions but until then I decided to go for the safest option - only possible because I am semi-retired, work from home, and the voluntary work I do was all school related so stopped.
 
I began shielding early (in February) when the first case was reported in our offices. I wish we had had better advice in the beginning instead of finding out that diabetics one of the highest mortality rates. They could have used your A1c results, additional underlying conditions, age and gender to determine who shields and receives specialist support.

Having experienced just how difficult and hard work it is to manage a viral infection (I had gastroenteritis last year that took me a week to recover), I decided that it was best to avoid as much human contact as possible.

Now, my big concern and decision is, as we come out of lockdown and shops, offices etc start opening, do I stop shielding or do I sit around waiting for a proven vaccine. Whilst it is an individual choice – we each know our ability to manage our condition – I’d be interested in what others are thinking…
 
Strangely I don't mind this lockdown, I am being careful when going out with the dog, shopping etc and can fill my days easily. Still not enough hours in the day for me. I find a lot of my friends are now itching to get out and about and I think I might have a problem convincing them I am quite happy until I feel completely safe. I'm already feeling pressure to 'fit in'
 

Some people are hopeful that a vaccine will be available by the end of the year. A few vaccines are already in testing, but not available otherwise yet. Once one passes testing, it is expected to take months to produce enough for wide availability.
 
It’s worth adding that no everyone is financially able to shield. I’m on a zero hours contract, so I either do my current bank job in the ambulance service, or try to get some hours in my other job which is supply teaching, and would be taking care of kids of key workers.
 
I have been told to return to work at a primary school where I am a learning support assistant. I will be working my normal hours (mornings). I have expressed my concern to the headteacher who has given me a job to do in, more or less, isolation. I have done this job before, it will probably take me a week. After this I'm not sure what I will be doing. I have contacted my GP online for advice. As yet I haven't heard anything. Our local council has said PPE is not required in schools unless dealing with a sick child. I have my own filter mask which I asked if I could use, no comment given about that, so I will take it anyway. I am a well controlled Type 2 diabetic although, I have heard this doesn't make any difference. Probably because, in hospital, I would be unable to follow a LCHF diet?? Although, I would like to get back to work I think it is too soon to open schools and expect 'at risk' staff and children to return.
 
Luckily, in this case, my headteachers has a t1 wife and 'gets' diabetes. He has decided that anyone who wasnt previously on the rota as they were vulnerable in some way, isn't in the plan for reopening. I'm able to work from home at the moment, although I have no idea what will happen in September
 
We've now heard loads about a considerable number of deaths of covid sufferers being diabetic and others who are overweight/obese............we also know there are loads of people who have never been diagnosed with it but are indeed diabetics.

My question is are there figures to show how many diabetic deaths are people who had NOT been diagnosed with it until they were admitted to hospital and were therefore unaware so not on any form of medication and not attempting to control the disease. I guess it really would apply more to type 2 than type 1? Anybody with a view on this - I think it would be extremely helpful to know. Would help with regards easing lockdown or who you shield in this category.

It would also mean perhaps, more reason to introduce a screening programme in the future, so that for anyone over the age of say 50, who is overweight gets a blood test automatically - or something like that. If Boris wants to tackle obesity (I know all diabetics aren't obese/overweight but a lot are - myself included) the medical profession surely has to be more candid with people and not be afraid to 'offend'?
 
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